Ohio House Panel Approves New Casino Regulations
A bill by Ohio lawmakers that makes broad changes in the state’s gaming regulations cleared a legislative panel with bi partisan support. Legislators remained at odds about devoting additional finds to treat problem gamblers. An Ohio House committee approved the on a 20-0 vote and the bill will now go to the full House of Representatives. The legislation creates a framework for the new casinos and the addition of video lottery terminals that closely resemble slot machines. Lawmakers have made the bill a high priority since voters approved new casinos in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo.
The bill outlines a minimum number of race days at Ohio racetracks and to boost the horseracing industry permit holders will have to pay a certain percentage of their commissions on the new VLY machines to Ohio’s Racing Commission to support breeding and horseracing in Ohio. The bill also increases the state’s oversight of gambling operations in the state and gives the inspector general more powers to investigate conduct at casinos and makes the Casino Control Commission a law enforcement agency. The commission will enforce rules and will have the power to subpoena and obtain warrants for wiretaps.
The House State Government and Elections Committee approved several amendments to the bill including one that would allow charities to pay live poker sealers for fundraisers and to allow bingo halls to remain open until 2 AM. Some legislators were concerned that more VLT’s at racetracks and new casinos would lead to more gambling addicts in the state. State Representative Ted Celeste stated “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.” The original amendment that authorized the establishment of casinos in Ohio mandated that 2% of gross casino revenue taxes be used for the treatment of problem gamblers.
The new rules are extensive and even dictate the color of chips of different denominations. Every denomination must be color coded. The chip colors mandated in the bill are as follows; $1 white, $2.50 pink, $5 red, $20 yellow, $25 green, $100 black, $500 purple, $1,000 fire orange, $5,000 grey, $10,000 burgundy and $25,000 blue. The rules also require that each color chip have the denomination imprinted or engraved on the chip. Different denominations will also have different sizes. Chips for $500 or less must be 39 millimeters across and chips worth more than $500 must be 43 millimeters across.
The new regulations even dictate how cracked dice must be destroyed. Casinos will probably follow the widespread industry practice of shredding. Casinos must notify regulators where and when chips and dice will be destroyed and two eyewitnesses from different casino departments must be present. Job applicants must pay a $250 licensing fee and undergo extensive background checks. Applicants can be denied a license for close associations with mobsters and “other persons of disreputable character,” those with a bankruptcy in the last 10 years and those who owe back taxes. So far there has been very little news whether Ohio will take advantage of a recent DOJ ruling and offer internet gambling to Ohio residents.
