Casino Regulation Bill Introduced
May 17, 2010
Proposed regulations for Ohio's nascent casino industry emerged Monday in the Senate, giving lawmakers two weeks to enact a bill as required under the constitution.
The measure (SB 263) restricts entrance, except for employees, to citizens aged 21 and older and provides no leeway for the facilities to sell alcoholic beverages beyond the hours currently in Ohio law.
The bill also calls for oversight by way of a casino commission, legislative committee and inspector general purview, and spells out tax, licensing and fee requirements for the operations to be located in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo per a constitutional amendment approved by voters last fall. (Bill Overview)
Many of the provisions mirror the language in the constitutional amendment, which called for a tax rate of 33% on casino revenue and a $50 million up-front operator fee for each facility. Policymakers have proposed using the fee proceeds for a college co-op program.
Among other considerations, the casino commission would be allowed to consider for the purposes of licensure whether an applicant "has been indicted, convicted, pleaded guilty or no contest, or forfeited bail concerning any criminal offense under the laws of any jurisdiction, either felony or misdemeanor, not including traffic violations," according to the bill. Licensees would be required to undergo investigations every three years to ensure compliance.
The House and Senate have been negotiating aspects of the bill behind the scenes but have thus far been tight-lipped concerning those discussions or any potential disagreements. Under the issue voters approved last November, the legislature has until early June to enact the regulations.
The Senate bill is scheduled for its first hearing Wednesday morning before the chamber's Government Oversight Committee |
|
