HB 512 passes 93-0
June 20, 2002

The Ohio House of Representatives passed Sub. H.B. 512 Wednesday, June 19, 2002, with a vote of 93-0. This bill redefines "bingo" and makes several changes in Ohio's Charitable Gambling Law. The Ohio Senate passed its version , Am. Sub. S.B. 235, on May 30, 2002. Check back here for a full copy of the bill along with an analysis of the changes in the law.

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Online Gambling Blocked by Citibank/NY AG
June 20, 2002

In response to concerns raised by New York Attorney General, Eliot Spitzer, about the impact of gambling on credit, Citibank plans to block the use of its credit cards for purposes of any online gambling transactions in all states, including New York. The agreement, which goes into effect in 60 days, is expected to significantly reduce illegal, underage and potentially addictive Internet gambling. According to Spitzer, Bank of America, MBNA and Chase Manhattan Bank also have begun blocking such transactions. Since 1996, lawmakers in Washington have been trying to ban Internet gambling.

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Legislative Update
June 18, 2002

Although it was thought that House Bill 512, introduced by Representative Husted (R-Kettering), would be the bill to revise Ohio’s charitable gaming laws, many were caught by surprise when a similar bingo reform bill, Senate Bill 235, introduced by Senator Spada (R-Parma Heights) passed the Senate on May 30, 2002 by a vote of 32-1. Some of the changes made in the Senate committee include requiring 70 percent of the net profits be distributed to charities and allowing veteran and fraternal organizations to distribute 50 percent to charities and retain 20 percent for their own charitable purposes. The Senate Committee also amended the bill to direct the remaining 30 percent be used by the organization for expenses. The bingo licensing fee was increased from $100 to $200. Tracking requirements were added for instant tickets, as well as limits on the sale of instant tickets only to groups for which selling instants is not the primary purpose. Senate Bill 235 is currently pending in the House State and Local Government Committee.

On May 22, 2002, the Senate Ways and Means committee heard sponsor testimony from Senator Blessing, (R-Cincinnati) on Senate Bill 270 which would permit video gaming machines at horse tracks or off track facilities. Senator Blessing explained that his bill would permit the use of video lottery terminals (VLTs) at racing facilities without a vote of the people. Senator Blessing's prior attempt to pass legislation to allow VLTs was contained in SJR1 which would have been presented to the electorate by ballot.

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Update on Multistate Lottery Case
June 18, 2002

Tickets for the Mega Millions multistate lottery game are on sale, despite a last minute attempt to stop the selling of tickets. On May 13, 2002, Judge Daniel Hogan of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas denied a motion for a preliminary injunction to stop the Ohio Lottery from selling tickets for the Mega Millions multistate lottery game.

A coalition of anti-lottery groups, including the Ohio Roundtable and the United Methodist Church, were disappointed that the court's ruling did not address the larger constitutional claims it had brought in an earlier suit. That case is still under consideration by the court and could still bring the multistate game to a halt.

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