More lottery terminals would go into Ohio bars under the state's tentative budget. It says the Ohio Lottery Commission must add up to 3,000 new gambling machines to generate more education funding. From Ohio Public Radio station WKSU, Kevin Niedermier reports.
The budget the governor will sign next week says the Ohio lottery must provide an additional 61 million dollars to the state education system, the sole beneficiary of lottery profits. And the additional lottery machines would help the commission reach that goal.
Phillip Craig, head of the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association, lobbied for additional machines.
He says the gambling devices also represent a new income stream for bar owners.
"That's always something any business is looking for. To try to state the exact value is a little tricky at this point because we have to see how it rolls out to the customers. But, you know, to maybe get a $1,000 a month out of this piece would be a godsend to our members," Craig said.
The budget requires the new lottery machines to be operating in bars by March of next year.
Ohio Lottery Director Dennis Berg says it forces the new machines into the market without giving the commission the flexibility to work with the market.
He says he'll continue watching and evaluating the budget language as it moves through the legislative process.