Issue 3 Regulations

With the history of American gambling being referred to in the same breath as corruption and Mafioso – one would think that those on the brink of bringing slot machines to their state might think twice before setting out anything that hasn’t been thoroughly investigated. Yet, with Issue 3 before us, and slot machines seemingly coming to Ohio, there are many issues unanswered.

The Issue has a bipartisan, five member panel that will oversee the slot machine regulations in Ohio. However, those regulations are still left to be determined. State lawmakers would be then left to determine what those regulations are; and most of them don’t want slot machines in the first place. The slot machine opponents say that this is a good reason not to approve the slot machine legislation alone.

Supporters say that it doesn’t matter, for many states were still working on regulations after their slots were approved as well. "Just as other states have done that have introduced racinos into their states that will be addressed in the enabling legislation" said state director of the Issue 3 campaign Ian James.

Some government officials have already said they would model their regulations after Nevada’s rules, as theirs seem to be the most comprehensive. As Rep. Bill Seitz put it, "That is the gold standard of tough regulation. This is our first venture into this, and we want to make sure it’s done properly." ne

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