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Ohio House panel OKs bill on casino regulations

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By ANN SANNER, The Associated Press Updated 5:11 PM Wednesday, February 8, 2012

COLUMBUS, Ohio — An Ohio bill that makes broad changes to the state's gambling laws cleared a legislative panel Wednesday with bipartisan approval, though state lawmakers were split over whether to devote additional money toward helping gambling addicts.

An Ohio House committee approved the legislation on a 20-2 vote, sending it to the full House, where a vote is expected next week.

The wide-ranging measure creates a regulatory framework for gambling in Ohio in preparation for new casinos and the addition of slots-like video lottery terminals, or VLTs, at horse racetracks.

Legislative leaders have made the bill a priority as voter-approved casinos in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo get ready to open within the next year or so.

The bill outlines a minimum number of live racing days at the state's seven horse tracks. And in an effort to further boost the horse racing industry, certain permit holders would have to pay a percentage of their commission from VLTs to the state's Racing Commission to benefit breeding and racing in Ohio.

The measure also bolsters oversight of gambling. It gives the state inspector general certain powers to investigate conduct at casinos, and it characterizes the Casino Control Commission as a law enforcement agency. The commission, which will oversee rules and licenses for the new casinos, would have the authority to subpoena and get warrants for wiretaps.

The House State Government and Elections Committee approved a number of amendments to the bill Wednesday, including one to allow charities to pay poker dealers for fundraisers and another to let bingo halls remain open until 2 a.m. instead of midnight.

Some lawmakers expressed concern that the addition of VLTs at racetracks, along with casinos, would lead to more gambling addicts. They urged their colleagues to consider a plan to direct more money to treating addictions.

"What we're faced with is a growing addiction problem that we will be adding to with all this opportunity for gambling in a variety of settings," said state Rep. Ted Celeste, D-Grandview Heights.

The constitutional amendment approved in 2009 that authorized the four Ohio casinos requires that 2 percent of the tax on gross casino revenue be directed to a fund to help treat gambling problems, addiction, substance abuse and related research.

Democrats offered similar proposals to direct the same percentage from the VLTs at racetracks, though both amendments failed on 12-10 votes.

One Republican, state Rep. Ron Young, voted in favor of their plans to boost treatment funds.

"If we are going to expand gambling to this extent ... I have to say that I think that we should add protections," said Young, of Leroy

State Rep. Lou Blessing, a Cincinnati Republican, estimated that the constitutional amendment would already provide $14 million for treating gambling problems. He said the Democrats' plan could increase that amount to $25 million or $30 million.

"We're getting to a point where I think we need to take a look at what the prior funding was, estimates of how many people we're going to treat, rather than just go forward with a strict percentage," said Blessing, who sponsored the gambling overhaul measure.

"I personally think the amount of money that's in the casino amendment is a lot for treatment," he added.

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February 08, 2012 10:06 PM EST

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