Dann sues in effort to shut down electronic gambling machines

Ohio - COLUMBUS — Attorney General Marc Dann on Wednesday filed lawsuits in three counties aimed at shutting down what he considers illegal electronic gambling machines

The lawsuits against gaming parlors in Fayette, Seneca and Columbiana counties were the first by Dann using an emergency rule that he issued on Aug. 22. The rule seeks to shut down the machines using the state's Consumer Sales Practices Act.

A representative of the Ohio Arcade Owners Association, who declined to be identified, said the group would respond to the complaints later.

Dann said in a press release that investigators found: 100 machines at Lucky You, Inc. in Jeffersonville in Fayette County; 14 machines at the Treasure Chest in Tiffin in Seneca County; and more than 28 machines at Strike It Rich Gambling Center at Calcutta in Columbiana County.

The games offer cash payouts, which are illegal under Dann's rule. The rule permits only games that can be won with skill and pay with prizes worth $10 or less.

Games at the parlors included: Magic Bomb, Crazy Bugs, Haunted House, Monkey Land, Wild Fruit and Rainbow Riches.

Dann and Gov. Ted Strickland have said that backers have installed the machines using a provision in Ohio law that's intended only to permit skill-based machines at amusement parks and places like Chuck E. Cheese's and Dave & Buster's.

They have said there are as many as 50,000 of the machines statewide, including in the Dayton area.

In a related development, Dann has asked Ohioans who spot the machines to call his office toll-free at (877) 244-6446.

Also, Leo Jennings III, Dann's spokesman, said a hearing is scheduled for Tuesday in Franklin County Common Pleas Court on an order by Judge Guy L. Reece that bars Dann from enforcing his rule against Tic Tac Fruit machines.

By William Hershey

News Added: 30 August, 2007

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