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Slots Win in Ohio

Eagerly awaiting a judge’s ruling this week were Governor Ted Strickland, Attorney General Marc Dann and slots operators across the state. A judge was to rule as to whether or not they would support the state government in trying to ban slots from the state entirely, or if they would side with the slots operators and grant them a reprieve from the emergency ruling that Strickland had passed.

Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Michael J. Holbrook ruled in favor of the slots operators, stating that the elected leaders had “overstepped their authority” when they issued the emergency ruling, as Ohio does allow amusement games. The games have to rely on skill more than luck, but even though they resemble slots, they can stay for now.

The residents of Ohio have voted time and time again against allowing slots in their state, so this latest ruling angered many residents as well as frustrating the governor and Attorney General. With around 4,000 of these skill slots around the state is now unable to do anything about them. However, they can still go after the other 40,000 illegal slots that are still out there.

Out of those thousands of slots, those that are operated by members of the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association will be able to be run as they have gotten a restraining order against the state from enacting their no slots rules. Strickland and Dann had argued that the slots were illegal, and wanted cash payouts banned and non-cash prizes to be limited to $10 or under face value. However, the judge would not side with them, and therefore what are basically illegal slots will be allowed to continue in the state.

Back to September 2007 Archive.