Gambling in Ohio is serious

Wonder why the state has to spend so much time discussing gambling. Gambling is serious, yet it shouldn’t be so consuming. Despite the state-sanctioned lottery, which benefits education in a limited manner, and betting on horse races, Ohio residents regularly have voted down more gambling. Yet every time they want to stay out, they get pulled back in. Lately, public officials have become pretzel-like trying to formulate what is a skill game and what is a game of chance – the former is not considered gambling while the latter is. Meanwhile, local law – enforcement is left dangling. Attorney General Mark Dann proposed a lengthy protocol that involved testing of machines by an outside lab (to be paid, thank goodness, by the machine manufacturer), securing of machines, identification and marking of computer boards, levels of fines, seizure of wayward machines and so on. The situation brings to mind the famous saying in reference to another topic: “I can’t define it, but I know it when I see it.” The plan was attacked when a machine manufacturer protested the release of testing information. It said doing so would reveal proprietary information and trade secrets, allowing competitors to copy the game and players to learn to play without the use of skill. Meanwhile, Gov. Ted Strickland has called for legislation to end cash payouts from these skill machines. The governor said, “We are seeing a proliferation of devices that bear an uncanny resemblance to slot machines. That’s unacceptable.” Aren’t Dann and Strickland both Democrats? Do they not talk to one another? Is it possible they can get on the same page? Another proposal to allow electronic betting at horse racetracks brings to mind “The Sting,” the movie in which the mark was tricked into betting on horse races already completed. It would allow bets on races that already had occurred, though the exact race, its location and name of the horses would not be revealed. Gamblers would know only the stats of the horses, jockeys and trainers. The gambler would not even have to watch the whole race; it could be advanced to the last 10 seconds. This would make it similar to the speed with which slot machines, several times opposed by Ohio’s voters, can be played. Strickland said he would veto this measure, prompting House Speaker Jon Husted to declare it won’t pass the House. It seems the governor and some others are moving the state in the right direction, even though Dann seems to have other ideas. It’s just too bad it’s taking up so much time and effort to do so. It’s not that gambling isn’t serious. It’s that it isn’t rocket science.! If lawmakers want to drive gambling out of Ohio, they’re heading in the right direction. But serious gamblers will leave Ohio to spend their money in Michigan and West Virginia. And the ultimate loser will be the state’s coffers.