Crackdown coming on Internet cafes
State lawmakers working to ban controversial gambling sites
By Alan Johnson
The Columbus Dispatch Wednesday November 21, 2012 6:26 AM
A ban on Internet sweepstakes cafes in Ohio could be coming in the next few weeks.
A chorus of opponents, led by prosecutors, county commissioners, law enforcement and most recently the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, is prompting state lawmakers to move swiftly after months of inaction on the unregulated, unlicensed operations that have sprung up all over the state.
Add the voice of Ohio casino operators, who view the cafes as unregulated competitors.
State Rep. Matt Huffman, R-Lima, the majority floor leader for House Speaker William Batchelder of Medina, introduced House Bill 605 last week. It would essentially ban Internet cafes by redefining sweepstakes. Huffman said he thinks other legislation under consideration by the House State and Elections Committee, House Bill 195, could be the vehicle on which to pass legislation in year-end lame-duck legislative sessions.
No job for lame ducks
Published: November 20, 2012 - 06:46 PM
Akron Beacon Journal
A coalition of the cautious must rally to delay action on an elections bill until next year, giving enough time for Ohio lawmakers and voting advocates to take a thorough, bipartisan look at what is needed to ensure a fair and open process for all voters.
Since before Election Day, Senate Republicans have signaled their willingness to tackle in the lame-duck session such contentious issues as early voting and voter registration, ignoring the bitter legacy of House Bill 194.
That measure, pushed through by Republican majorities in the House and Senate, was headed for a referendum this past November before it was repealed. A continuing controversy over in-person absentee voting on the three days before Election Day finally was resolved in federal court.
Fortunately, a group of voter advocates, including the League of Women Voters, is pushing now for a deliberative approach, concerned the official canvass (due Tuesday) has not yet been completed. House Speaker William Batchelder has advised slowing down, wisely believing it best to wait until next year to draft an elections bill. Democratic lawmakers, too, warn about the dangers of acting too quickly, the next election two years away.
Fraternal Order of Police Wants Internet Cafes Banned Outright
Hannah Report 11/20/12
Ohio's largest law enforcement union is asking state leaders to enact a ban on Internet cafes, the fast-proliferating gambling parlors now operating in gray areas of the law. Meanwhile, a member of House leadership is pushing for greater legal clarity on just which forms of gambling are permitted under state law.
Jay McDonald, president of the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio, wrote a letter requesting the ban Tuesday to Gov. John Kasich, Attorney General Mike DeWine, House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina), House Minority Leader Armond Budish (D-Beachwood), Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) and Senate Minority Leader Eric Kearney (D-Cincinnati).
"Based on first-hand reports from Ohio's law enforcement community, particularly in Central and Northeast Ohio, we believe these establishments are at best illegal gambling operations, and at worst, fronts for more serious criminal activity. We believe Internet gambling cafes pose a significant threat to the safety and well-being of our communities. Many of our communities, along with state and local law enforcement agencies, have already dedicated hundreds of hours investigating this illegal activity," the letter states. "The best way to protect communities from the negative impacts of Internet gambling cafes is a permanent statewide ban."
Ohio's largest law enforcement union is asking state leaders to enact a ban on Internet cafes, the fast-proliferating gambling parlors now operating in gray areas of the law. Meanwhile, a member of House leadership is pushing for greater legal clarity on just which forms of gambling are permitted under state law.
Jay McDonald, president of the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio, wrote a letter requesting the ban Tuesday to Gov. John Kasich, Attorney General Mike DeWine, House Speaker William Batchelder (R-Medina), House Minority Leader Armond Budish (D-Beachwood), Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) and Senate Minority Leader Eric Kearney (D-Cincinnati).
"Based on first-hand reports from Ohio's law enforcement community, particularly in Central and Northeast Ohio, we believe these establishments are at best illegal gambling operations, and at worst, fronts for more serious criminal activity. We believe Internet gambling cafes pose a significant threat to the safety and well-being of our communities. Many of our communities, along with state and local law enforcement agencies, have already dedicated hundreds of hours investigating this illegal activity," the letter states. "The best way to protect communities from the negative impacts of Internet gambling cafes is a permanent statewide ban."
Politics Notebook: Election Officials Tabulate, Certify Ballots; House Leadership Announced; Advocates Decry Lame Duck Election Law Changes;
Election Law Changes: Ohio voting advocates recently urged the General Assembly to hold off changes to the state's election law under after results from the Nov. 6 election are counted and certified and voting patterns can be analyzed.
The call from advocates comes in response to indications from Senate leadership that the chamber would consider election law changes during the lame duck session.
"We should not rush to judgment on changes in voting rules before all the facts are in," Peg Rosenfield, of the League of Women Voters of Ohio, said in a statement.
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