The Ohio Lottery plans actions next week likely to start the process of settling lingering legal questions over state-run slot machines at horse tracks.
An agenda shows state lottery commissioners will vote Monday to scrap earlier rules for the video-lottery machines, put forth updated rules, and authorize asking a court to decide whether the lottery has the authority to operate the machines.
Proponents, including Gov. Ted Strickland, say the slots-like terminals can operate under existing lottery rules.
"As long as the fundamental game is still a lottery then it can be authorized by the State Lottery Commission," said David Paragas, an attorney representing the Ohio Equine Agricultural Coalition, which includes owners of four of Ohio's seven horse-racing tracks.
Paragas said 17,000 direct and indirect jobs are at stake if the tracks do not have the benefit of video lottery terminals when Ohio's four future casinos begin operations.
"Once the casinos open up, we think it will be the death knell for Ohio's race tracks," Paragas
Other supporters contend that betting on horses and playing the lottery are alike.
"If you're betting on horses you're gambling and if you're putting money in a slot machine you're gambling. I don't see any real difference between the two," said Rick Kreuger of Columbus.
Opponents say the machines are illegal gambling devices outside the state's constitutional definition of a legal lottery. Others object on moral grounds.
"I don't think we should encourage gambling. We've got plenty of gambling already, so I don't want any more," said Dennis Read of Westerville.
After a ballot issue challenging the slots was dropped, Strickland said last week he would move quickly to resolve the legal issues.
This report contains information from the Associated Press.
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