There was a disturbing article in Cleveland, Ohio’s Plain Dealer on October 11th. Very often there is more to a story than what is reported, and I hope that everyone (or at least most people) can read in between the lines.
This story is about prohibiting cash-paying games, such as the video “tic-tac-toe” machines that are so popular in bars and restaurants. The legislation also addresses games that award non-cash prizes and limits the items to a $10 value. The lawmakers even attached an emergency clause to the legislation. This means that the games will be banned the very moment Governor Ted Strickland signs the bill, and cannot be presented again to voters without an initiative petition drive. This urgency for banning video gambling machines is ridiculous.
Believe it or not, the vote of the Ohio House Lawmakers was a shocking 83-13. So there you have it…the opinion of 83 people, and the time and effort of their law-making priorities.
Is anyone wondering why these machines are even an issue—in Ohio or any other state? It doesn’t even appear to be a realistic concern, and certainly not one to take precedence over vital issues. So, what is the real motivation of the lawmakers, and by what means are they deeming these games unlawful?
House Speaker, Jon Husted, admits that the machines are not a problem. Then he continues with, “It’s the door it opens up to run these other games on a national basis.” First of all, this is a preventative measure with no facts that it’s happening. Secondly, if national operation of these machines is a valid concern, then why does the country participate in international trade, send American jobs over-seas, allow charities for other countries, etc. Using the “national basis,” in his argument simply sounds like a political excuse to dance around the truth.
Husted also said, “This is the first step in eliminating unregulated gambling.” What does he really mean by this? If you win money from one of these machines, you are given a slip of paper that looks like a receipt. You sign your name, and can only cash it in at that particular bar or restaurant. Those cash tickets are then kept and recorded. There’s already a system in place to regulate these machines, so is this just another excuse?
So what is the truth behind banning these machines? Could it be that governmental systems are trying to squeeze out competition to cater to big-time casinos and monopolies? Is their hidden agenda to force gamblers to travel to these locations to have their fun? It is unfortunate that these politicians feel the need to take away more of our rights, but the good news is…
Luckily, we have the option of online gambling. We don’t have to travel far to play our favorite games. And whatever the agenda of the Lawmakers might be, we do not have to let it rule our way of life. Not everyone has the time or the means to travel, but we all deserve the freedom to decide how we spend our hard earned money. So if I want to gamble online, guess what, I will!
By Victoria Maro
