Ohio voters have rejected gambling casinos in the past and have no reason to change their minds now. The new proposal to allow casinos in four cities - Issue 3 on the Nov. 3 election ballot - is flawed so badly that thoughtful voters will have no trouble in seeing through it and voting ''no.''

Gambling interests want approval of the measure in order to open casinos in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo. The proposed amendment they wrote to allow that attempts to deal the casinos a hand full of aces.

Reasons why voters should reject Issue 3:

- The proposal would allow a tax of only 33 percent on casinos' gross revenue. That rate could never be increased - even if, as we think is likely, Ohioans in the future decide they deserve a larger ''cut'' of the proceeds.

- Upfront licensing fees of $50 million per casino would be required. But the amendment specifies that the money could be used only ''to support job training programs.'' Locking state government into a $200 million job training program when Columbus needs money desperately for other purposes would not be wise.

- About one-third of the tax proceeds would be earmarked for schools. But the amendment requires that gambling revenue must be in addition to any other education ''funding obligations of the state.'' Again, government would be denied important budget flexibility.

- Casinos would be permitted to stay open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of the wishes of those living around them.

- So greedy are the gambling interests that the amendment bans all other casino gambling - including that by charitable organizations to raise money for worthy causes.

This proposal does little to help Columbiana County and its surrounding area. Issue 3 backers consistently cite money flowing out of Ohio to casinos in neighboring states. Money flowing out of Columbiana and Mahoning counties is no different.

Though most people probably will wait until Nov. 3 to go to the polls, ''early voting'' already has begun in Ohio. So have slick, expensive campaigns urging voters to approve the amendment.

We join prudent, objective critics of the proposal in urging Ohio voters to reject it. We strongly recommend a ''no'' vote on Ohio Issue 3.