Plain Dealer: Ohio Lottery Clouds Vets’ Issues

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In an article published today in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, it was revealed that the Ohio Lottery will ask the state’s Controlling Board to adjust Lottery spending in order to purchase so-called “next generation” gaming consoles for sale to veterans and fraternal groups.  While the Controlling Board is expected to OK that increase, the next steps for every party involved grows increasingly cloudy in the eyes of many.

 

The lottery’s proposed machines have been vehemently opposed by many veterans and fraternal groups, and categorically opposed by the Ohio Veterans and Fraternal Charitable Coalition (OVFCC) due to the fact that the charitable spilt between the parties will give little help to veterans and fraternal organizations struggling to keep their doors open in these tough economic times.  Complicating the matter is the opposition from Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, historically an advocate and supporter of veterans, who deems the current machines in violation of Ohio law.

 

That’s where things start to get cloudy.

 

Despite the Lottery’s proposal, and the Attorney General’s stance on machines, veterans and fraternal groups are in favor of keeping the current OVFCC machines in their lodges and post locations.  So much so that the groups successfully sued DeWine to keep the status quo.  From the Plain Dealer
 

DeWine contends that the electronic raffle machines currently used at veterans posts and fraternal lodges operate like illegal slot machines. Last fall, he ordered the veterans and fraternal groups to turn off the machines or face prosecution, a sticky proposition for a veterans friendly politician seeking re-election.

 

In December, the Ohio Veterans and Fraternal Charitable Coalition, which represents 1,700 posts and lodges, hired former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Andrew Douglas to sue DeWine’s office. The coalition won a court order blocking any action by DeWine or the Ohio Liquor Control Department, which could initiate enforcement action against veterans and fraternal organizations authorized to sell alcohol.

 

While the Ohio House of Representatives continues debate on Ohio House Bill 325, a bill clarifying current charitable gaming law, many OVFCC members will continue to use the machines that former Justice Douglas has deemed to be “clearly not ‘strictly prohibited'”.

 

Stay tuned to the OVFCC website and blog for updates on where the story goes from here.