Gambling Machine Payouts In Ohio In Danger After House Vote

Gambling expansion is heavily supported in the House of Representatives in Ohio, which is majority Republican, but the way to expand the gambling is apparently an issue with these politicians.

The House voted for a bill on Wednesday that would make it illegal for cash prizes to be handed out from gaming machines.

The Senate is the next stop for the bill, which, if approved, and signed by the Governor, Ted Strickland, would become effective immediately.

The decision to immediately inact the law, with an emergency clause, is so it would not allow for time for any formal opposition such as petitions.

Anyone looking to get around the law by giving out non cash prizes is in for a shock also, as the bill would limit the amount of non cash prizes to be $10 or less, essentially taking any worthwhile prizes out of play.

According to David Corey, executive vice president of the Ohio Coin Machine Association, the politicians were not clear about the bill, as he claims he was deceived. "Everything we were told that they were going to allow for cash prizes for tournament play wasn't done. Basically, we were lied to."

Speaker of the House Jon Husted has said that the exception was just an option to be considered and after considering it, the House decided that they wanted to leave no options open to wiggle around the new law.

Anybody caught in violation of the bill could face a $1,000 fine and up to six month in jail for a first time offender, and up to a year in jail for a second offense.

October 12, 2007
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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