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Strickland says he'll veto Ohio betting bill
Proposal involved betting on previously run horse races. Governor wants a law to ban cash payouts on games of skill.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
COLUMBUS — Gov. Ted Strickland on Tuesday moved to clamp down on the proliferation of gambling by announcing he will veto a bill that allows betting on previously run horse races and wants a law that eliminates cash payouts on so-called games of skill.
Strickland and Attorney General Marc Dann said eliminating cash payouts and limiting prizes would go a long way toward controlling the betting parlors cropping up across the state.
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"Last fall, Ohio voters overwhelmingly rejected expanded gambling in Ohio, but nevertheless we are seeing a proliferation of devices that bear an uncanny resemblance to slot machines. That's unacceptable," Strickland said. "We need to close the loophole that's allowing this to happen, and we need to honor the people's will against expanded gambling."
Dann and Strickland are asking the General Assembly for a law that says no cash, no tickets exchangeable for cash, no prizes worth more than $10, no aggregate of exchangeable prizes worth more than $600 in a year, no payouts of tobacco, liquor, drugs, firearms or lottery or bingo entries.
Instead, gamblers would receive tickets redeemable for prizes worth no more than $10, such as a video game or radio. It would be similar to a Chuck E. Cheese or a Dave and Busters, where children play games, earn tickets and redeem them for toys.
Ohio law bans games of chance but allows games of skill. Problem is, it's difficult to distinguish between the two.
House Speaker Jon Husted, R-Kettering, "has always thought these machines were illegal and he supports a complete ban," his spokeswoman Karen Tabor said. Neither a ban nor restrictions have been discussed by the House Republican caucus, she said.
Meanwhile, the Ohio House is considering a bill sponsored by state Sen. Steve Stivers, R-Columbus, and favored by the state's ailing equine industry, to allow gamblers at Ohio tracks to bet on previously run horse races.
Tabor said if the bill is vetoed, Husted believes it will be a dead issue.
When Stivers heard that Strickland plans to veto his horse racing bill, Stivers suggested amending it to eliminate cash payouts on games of skill.
That would present a tough choice for Strickland.
"What is it that the Rolling Stones say? You can't always get what you want," Stivers replied.
