Ohio Proposes Video Bingo Machines To Keep Casinos Out
Officials in Ohio fear that the casino industry is beginning cause lottery ticket sales to dwindle. In a measure that non-profits and officials hope will help to replace some of their lost gambling dollars, video bingo machine halls might be moved into the state. As casinos continue to open in almost every major city in Ohio, less people are purchasing lottery tickets, which means that the state is collecting less in tax revenues. Ultimately, the state government realized that lottery tickets were no match for video based gambling. Referred to as skill games, gambling machines give users a more interactive experience as opposed to scratch off tickets.
Although it is not known if or when these video bingo machines will be placed in Ohio, officials are working hard to put together a bill that would make them a permanent fixture in the state. As the state makes plans to make video bingo a large part of their gambling industry, non-profit charities are said to be main agencies that will benefit from them. By giving charities another source of income, most of them will be able to remain open. The lagging economy is reported to be the reason behind record low donations and contributions to charities in the state of Ohio and the rest of the US. A new type of license will have to be approved by Ohio legislators in order to allow for the operation of video bingo machines in the states. Officials are hopeful that the bill will be passed by January of 2011.