Unregulated Gambling Bill Moves Forward
Fayette Advocate Staff Reports
House bill 605 passed through the Ohio House of Representatives Wednesday.
The bill, which would establish strict limits on sweepstakes gaming at internet cafes, passed by a vote of 63-30.
“I thank Speaker Batchelder, Representatives Huffman and Blessing, and the Ohio House of Representatives for taking action on the unregulated gambling taking place at internet cafes across Ohio,” said Ohio General Mike DeWine. “HB 605 is a major step forward to protect Ohio consumers. I look forward to and encourage swift passage of HB 605 in the Ohio Senate.”
Next, the bill will go to the Senate for a vote. If passed in the Senate, it will go to Ohio Governor John Kasich’s desk for a signature.
There’s no word on when the Senate will vote on the bill, although it’s likely the vote will take place in the next two weeks.
Sweepstakes Ban Passes House after Squeaking through Committee
Hannah Report 12/5/12
Hannah Report 12/5/12
House lawmakers approved tough limits on sweepstakes parlors Wednesday afternoon in a decision that split both caucuses, coming shortly after the bill cleared committee on a one-vote margin.
Rep. Matt Huffman's (R-Lima) HB605 is meant to be a de facto ban on so-called Internet cafes, imposing broader definitions of illegal gambling, banning cash payouts from electronic sweepstakes devices, and capping the value of any merchandise awarded at $10.
He called the regulation of Internet cafes a difficult process. "I think it's been a difficult process because it is a complicated area."
Huffman said owners and operators of the cafes have relied on essentially an unclear area of the law. He said the goal should be clarity and uniformity, adding that he believes the bill accomplishes that. If it looks like gambling, he said the Legislature needs to treat it that way and ensure any kind of gaming is not part of the law unless voters approve it. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191352
Rep. Matt Huffman's (R-Lima) HB605 is meant to be a de facto ban on so-called Internet cafes, imposing broader definitions of illegal gambling, banning cash payouts from electronic sweepstakes devices, and capping the value of any merchandise awarded at $10.
He called the regulation of Internet cafes a difficult process. "I think it's been a difficult process because it is a complicated area."
Huffman said owners and operators of the cafes have relied on essentially an unclear area of the law. He said the goal should be clarity and uniformity, adding that he believes the bill accomplishes that. If it looks like gambling, he said the Legislature needs to treat it that way and ensure any kind of gaming is not part of the law unless voters approve it. http://www.hannah.com/DesktopDefaultPublic.aspx?type=hns&id=191352
Gongwer 12/5/12
A proposal to effectively outlaw so-called sweepstakes cafes cleared the House Wednesday with a solid majority amid warnings that it would put thousands of Ohioans out of work.
The proposal to ban the cafes (HB 605
Speaker Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) later called a break during House session and the committee reconvened to narrowly vote the bill out 7-6.
The action represents a change of course for the House, which only last week appeared to favor a separate proposal that would regulate and tax sweepstakes parlors (HB 195 ), a plan favored by many in the industry.
Speaker Batchelder told reporters that there was an increasing sense of "unease" within his caucus as members learned more about the operations, which generally allow customers to buy prepaid phone cards that allow them to use a video terminal with slot machine-like games that have predetermined winners.
The speaker said his conversations with Democrats revealed similar misgivings within the minority caucus.
"A lot of urban people were concerned about who's running this, where did the money go, and so forth," he said.
Gongwer 12/5/12
Legislative leaders said Wednesday there was little support for a plan to give elected officials' a pay raise during lame duck session, despite a push from local officeholders and recent discussions around a plan floated for lame duck action.
Sen. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) said he was pushing for a proposal to give state and local elected officials a cost-of-living increase that would take effect Jan. 1, 2014 only if the legislature appropriates enough money in the next biennial budget to cover the increased cost to the state.
Regular pay raises would be limited to 3% or the consumer price index, whichever is less, and would be contingent on next year's budget, he said in an interview. "If that happens, then the raises for the countywide officials and so forth would be allowed to go into effect. If it doesn't, it wouldn't."
Sen. Seitz noted that legislators, judges, county commissioners, sheriffs, prosecutors and other elected officials have seen no increase in their pay since January 2008.
"This is not a raise, this is a cost-of-living," he said.
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