COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Ohio House has voted overwhelmingly to approve a crackdown on storefront gambling-like operations known as Internet cafes.
The measure passed 66-29 Wednesday afternoon and now goes to the Senate. A similar House-passed measure failed to gain traction in the Ohio Senate last session.
The measure imposes operating restrictions, registration requirements and background checks on the more than 800 operations around the state.
State Rep. Matt Huffman of Lima told colleagues during the floor debate that the bill would clarify for law enforcement what's legal gambling and illegal gambling.
Opponents say the cafes allow illegal gambling. Backers say they are legal and help the economy.
Patrons buy cards for phone and Internet time with chances to play computer games that operate like slot machines with cash prizes.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:52:31 GMT
LEXINGTON, Mich. (AP) - Carol Connell remembers well the gift she gave Sara Ylen, a friend seemingly forced to bear too much misery. Ylen, a Michigan mother of two young boys, said she was battling cancer
A Michigan mom who claimed to be battling cancer and a rape survior is being accused of fraud and her community is reeling.
Saturday, May 18 2013 8:52 PM EDT2013-05-19 00:52:10 GMT
DETROIT (AP) - A tiny insect is threatening Michigan's fruit and vegetable crops. The brown marmorated stink bug's presence in Michigan has growers and agriculture experts concerned because there are
A tiny insect is threatening Michigan's fruit and vegetable crops. The brown marmorated stink bug's presence in Michigan has growers and agriculture experts concerned.
Saturday, May 18 2013 8:42 PM EDT2013-05-19 00:42:53 GMT
CLEVELAND (AP) - Some of the Amish sentenced in beard-cutting attacks on fellow Amish in Ohio are upset with federal prison education requirements. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons has required some to study
Some of the Amish sentenced in beard-cutting attacks on fellow Amish in Ohio are upset with federal prison education requirements.
Saturday, May 18 2013 7:12 PM EDT2013-05-18 23:12:26 GMT
DECATUR TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - Sheriff's deputies arrested a southwestern Michigan man after finding him driving a farm tractor on a county road while drunk. The Van Buren County sheriff's office says
Sheriff's deputies arrested a southwestern Michigan man after finding him driving a farm tractor on a county road while drunk.
Saturday, May 18 2013 7:01 PM EDT2013-05-18 23:01:27 GMT
ATLANTA (AP) - A metro Atlanta woman who lost both hands, her left leg and right foot after contracting a flesh-eating disease has been fitted with bionic hands. Andy Copeland told the Associated Press
metro Atlanta woman who lost both hands, her left leg and right foot after contracting a flesh-eating disease has been fitted with bionic hands.
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:50 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:50:34 GMT
Three suspects are still on the loose after an-early morning home invasion and murder in Waterville Township and investigators say the death of 34-year-old James Safadi was not a random act of violence.
Investigators say the home invasion death of 34-year-old James Safadi in Waterville was not a random act of violence. They believe the local business owner was targeted.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:52:31 GMT
LEXINGTON, Mich. (AP) - Carol Connell remembers well the gift she gave Sara Ylen, a friend seemingly forced to bear too much misery. Ylen, a Michigan mother of two young boys, said she was battling cancer
A Michigan mom who claimed to be battling cancer and a rape survior is being accused of fraud and her community is reeling.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:11 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:11:00 GMT
DAMASCUS, Va. (AP) - Witnesses in southwestern Virginia say a car has driven into a crowd at a festival parade. Several people appeared to be hurt, but the nature of their injuries wasn't immediately
An elderly driver plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Saturday parade in a small Virginia mountain town.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:01 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:01:59 GMT
A team that played football for years has reunited to pay tribute to their coach who died from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.It was the fifth year for the Dave Calabrese Football Blitz, but
It was the fifth year for the Dave Calabrese Football Blitz, but the first without Calabrese, who died just days ago after a battle with ALS.
Saturday, May 18 2013 7:57 PM EDT2013-05-18 23:57:12 GMT
While the most intense of the severe weather will be in the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley, it is possible that we could see some severe thunderstorms, as early as Monday night, especially west of the Toledo metro area.
While the most intense of the severe weather will be in the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley, it is possible that we could see some severe thunderstorms, as early as Monday night, especially west of the Toledo metro area.
Saturday, May 18 2013 6:24 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:24:10 GMT
A Toledo man is accused of animal cruelty after he hit his pit bull with 2 by 4.Police say Donnie Britton was trying to break up a fight between two dogs by hitting them with a board. Both dogs were injured
A Toledo man is accused of animal cruelty after he hit his pit bull with 2 by 4.
Saturday, May 18 2013 5:54 PM EDT2013-05-18 21:54:20 GMT
Verizon Wireless customers have been experiencing voice and data issues throughout the day on Saturday in Ohio.Customers in the Sandusky, Akron and Canton areas have seen an increased in dropped calls
Verizon Wireless customers have been experiencing voice and data issues throughout the day on Saturday in Ohio.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:25 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:25:59 GMT
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) - A wanted man with a criminal history dating back nearly 15 years was identified by police Saturday as the masked home invader involved in the death of a Hofstra University student
A wanted man with a criminal history dating back nearly 15 years was identified by police Saturday as the masked home invader involved in the death of a Hofstra University student early Friday morning.
Saturday, May 18 2013 8:52 PM EDT2013-05-19 00:52:10 GMT
DETROIT (AP) - A tiny insect is threatening Michigan's fruit and vegetable crops. The brown marmorated stink bug's presence in Michigan has growers and agriculture experts concerned because there are
A tiny insect is threatening Michigan's fruit and vegetable crops. The brown marmorated stink bug's presence in Michigan has growers and agriculture experts concerned.
Saturday, May 18 2013 8:42 PM EDT2013-05-19 00:42:53 GMT
CLEVELAND (AP) - Some of the Amish sentenced in beard-cutting attacks on fellow Amish in Ohio are upset with federal prison education requirements. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons has required some to study
Some of the Amish sentenced in beard-cutting attacks on fellow Amish in Ohio are upset with federal prison education requirements.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WTVG. All Rights Reserved.
