February 15, 2012

Legislation Revising Gaming, Casino Laws Passes Ohio House

Ohio House Speaker Pro Tempore Lou Blessing (R-Cincinnati) has announced that the Ohio House of Representatives today passed House Bill 386, legislation that makes revisions to Ohio’s gaming-related laws pertaining to casinos, the state lottery, video lottery terminals, horse racing, and gambling.

“I’m happy that House Bill 386 passed from the House today because it makes comprehensive and necessary changes to Ohio’s gaming and casino laws,” said Blessing, who sponsored the legislation.

Specifically, House Bill 386 makes sweeping changes to Ohio’s gaming-related laws, including provisions to:
• Define “corrupt activity” for purposes of the criminal law to include certain gaming conduct and bribery crimes under the Casino Law, and increase criminal penalties for bribery under the Casino Law
• Authorize the Inspector General to investigate employees of the Attorney General’s Office who are contractually performing duties to enforce the Casino Law, and to provide support in furtherance of enforcing the Casino Law
• Clarify that skill-based amusement machines are not slot machines
• Set the state lottery prize award value that triggers certain reporting requirements at the reportable winnings amounts established by the Internal Revenue Code
• Permit racetrack operators and management companies that are licensed lottery sales agents to provide video lottery terminal promotional gaming credits to patrons for video lottery terminal gaming
• Revise and simplify the definition of a “charitable organization” that may conduct certain games of chance, and conduct and advertise bingo, instant bingo at a bingo session, and instant bingo other than at a bingo session
• Expand by two hours the time period during which a charitable organization may conduct a bingo session
• Require the director of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services to complete a study to identify the current status of gaming addiction problems within Ohio

House Bill 386 passed by a vote of 69-24 and will now be sent to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

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June 27, 2011

Rep. Anielski is featured on Ohio in Focus

Rep. Marlene Anielski is featured on an episode of Ohio in Focus.

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April 11, 2011

House Republicans Introduce Bill to Provide Oversight of Internet Sweepstakes Cafés

Recently, Representative Nan Baker (R-Westlake) and Representative Marlene Anielski (R-Walton Hills) introduced comprehensive legislation that will provide oversight of internet sweepstakes cafés. The proposal will address electronic games that look like slot machines, which can mislead players and cause confusion for law enforcement.

Working with Attorney General Mike DeWine, the bill would clarify the legality of electronic games for law enforcement and to provide assurance to Ohio consumers who want to play skill-based games or participate in sweepstakes or internet cafes that they do not have an unfair advantage.

“Providing oversight of unregulated operations will provide disclosure and transparency for consumers and allow our law enforcement, charities, and legitimate businesses to operate fairly,” said Rep. Baker.

Under the proposal, any skill-based amusement machine or sweepstakes machine would be required to:


  • Undergo a pre-play certification process, effective six months after the issuance of rules by the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

  • Obtain a license issued by the Casino Control Commission and paid for by the applicant that certifies that the machines have been tested by an outside laboratory. The license would be required to be displayed for easy public inspection, and certification would be at the expense of the operator or manufacturer.

  • Post stickers on each machine providing an instant verifiable sign to law enforcement and proving that the operator has a license and that each machine has passed inspection.

  • Face criminal penalties for violating the licensing requirements. Importantly, the bill allows local governments to opt out of allowing sweepstakes operations in their jurisdictions.

"We want local governments and legitimate sweepstakes operators to know that we are willing to work with them through the legislative process to address any issues they might raise," said Rep. Anielski.

The legislation will now be assigned to a House committee, where it will undergo extensive debate and consideration.

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March 17, 2011

Anielski and Baker to pursue electronic gaming oversight

At a press conference at Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office, State Representatives Marlene Anielski (R-Walton Hills) and Nan Baker (R-Westlake) today discussed forthcoming legislation to establish regulation of sweepstakes gaming operations at "internet cafes" and similar establishments. The legislation will limit sweepstakes activities by defining and licensing these operations to ensure that they do not defraud Ohio consumers and compete with legally licensed charitable gaming activities.

“I am proud to be working in conjunction with Attorney General DeWine and Representative Baker on this piece of consumer protection legislation,” said Representative Anielski. “Not only is the measure necessary to protect the citizens within our communities, but it also gives flexibility to local government to utilize home rule to opt out of having sweepstakes parlors within their municipal borders.”

Among other goals, the proposal will set licensing requirements for skill-based amusement machines, slot machines and sweepstakes parlors; limit prizes awarded from sweepstakes parlors to merchandise; grant the Ohio Casino Control Commission the authority to license, regulate, investigate and penalize machine distributors and operators; and categorize sweepstakes devices along with skill-based amusement machines and slot machines under the definition of “gambling devices.”

“I am pleased to be participating in the process of defining what is or is not legal in Ohio when it comes to gambling,” Representative Baker said. “The intent of this bill to protect our Ohio residents and provide transparency and accountability to these new types of sweepstakes parlors that have opened in our cities.”

The proposal was recommended by Attorney General DeWine to provide oversight to previously unregulated games in Ohio.

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