Lawmakers butt heads on video slots, horse racing

Strickland, Harris disagree on differences between games

Senate President Bill Harris believes there is a distinct difference between video horse racing machines and video slots because with the latter,

Associated press file photo Senate President Bill Harris believes there is a distinct difference between video horse racing machines and video slots because with the latter, "you’re competing against the house."

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By William Hershey, Staff Writer 12:00 AM Tuesday, June 30, 2009

What’s the difference between video slot machines and video horse racing machines?

Nothing, according to Gov. Ted Strickland.

Lots, according to Senate President Bill Harris, R-Ashland.

That disagreement erupted Monday, June 29, as efforts to reach agreement on a permanent two-year budget bogged down. The Senate approved a seven-day interim budget through Tuesday, July 7, and the House is expected to go along today.

Strickland wants the new permanent budget to give him authority to set up video slots at Ohio’s seven racetracks. Harris says Strickland has the authority to do it on his own and that he opposes expanding gambling without a vote of the people.

Strickland said he couldn’t understand why Harris and six other current Republican senators, including Gary Cates of West Chester Twp., oppose authorizing the video slots when, back in 2007, they voted to put video horse racing games at the seven tracks. In those games, gamblers can wager on old races based on information about the jockeys and horses but without knowing the outcome in advance. The Senate passed the video horse racing bill but the House didn’t take it up.

“I think it does not make any sense to accept any distinction between these machines,” said Strickland.

Harris said with the video horse racing machine the gambler is taking “data that’s being provided” and betting against another person. With the video slots, “when you push that button, you’re competing against the house. It’s a different argument,” Harris said. Cates, who earlier called Strickland a “hypocrite” for reversing his position on expanding gambling, said he agreed with Harris.

Strickland and Harris  did agree that there’s agreement on most everything in the budget except expanded gambling.

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In the past few months, Teddy Governer has now proposed to:

1. Fix the budget with stimulus money that he had no idea if it was there or not.
2. With gambling proceeds of which he was opposed to about 6 months ago.

Ladies and Gentleman, your governer!

bobs
10:23 AM, 6/30/2009

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