18 Year Olds May Be Allowed to Play Slots in Ohio

The Ohio Lottery Commission was voting on Monday to determine whether 18 year olds will be able to play slot machines at seven horse-racing tracks.  Additionally a decision will be made as to whether the slot machines are in operation 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

The nine-member commission typically draws little notice during its monthly meetings, but thanks to the sizable expansion of the lottery it will likely attract a full house to the fourth-floor conference room of the Frank J. Lausche Building in Cleveland, which houses the commission's offices.

"I imagine it will be well-attended," says lottery spokeswoman Jeannie Roberts, who said the 1 p.m. meeting is open for public comments.

Lobbyists and lawyers for race tracks, companies hoping to sell Ohio slot machines and other special interest groups will be there. Roberts said the commission can move the meeting to a large auditorium on the second floor if necessary.

It's not clear whether the Ohio Council of Churches, which promised Thursday to fight the proposed rules allowing teens to play, will use the meeting to protest. The council's public policy director, Tom Smith, could not be reached.

The Plain Dealer goes on to point out that Gov. Ted Strickland -- without consulting the lottery commission -- issued an executive order last month allowing the state to expand the lottery through slots. Facing a revenue shortfall, Strickland hopes to raise $933 million during the current two-year budget cycle, which began July 1.

Gambling911.com Staff