Sweepstakes Moratorium Passes Ohio House

The Ohio House of Representatives today passed Senate Bill 115, legislation to strengthen the sweepstakes parlor moratorium language that was passed during the 129th General Assembly.

Key provisions of S.B. 115 include:
• Extending by one year a moratorium that prohibits a person from conducting a sweepstakes through the use of a sweepstakes terminal device if the person has not conducted such a sweepstakes before June 11, 2012
• Requiring a sweepstakes establishment to file a new affidavit with the Attorney General
• Extending by one year the authority of the Attorney General (or the appropriate county prosecuting attorney) to bring an injunction action and a contempt action against a sweepstakes establishment that violates the moratorium, and allows an injunction action against a sweepstakes establishment for failure to file a new affidavit
• Permitting the Attorney General to impose a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for each day a person violates the requirement to file a new affidavit
• Allows a county prosecuting attorney to prosecute a criminal action for falsification against any person who provides false information on the new affidavit

“It is important to address this industry that has grown into rampant unregulated gambling in communities throughout Ohio and put a tremendous burden on law enforcement,” said Rep. Huffman. “The House has continued to work with the Senate to find an effective solution to ensure that consumers are not being cheated and the Ohio Constitution’s provisions on gambling are upheld. The passage of Senate Bill 115 will help us to achieve that goal.”

Senate Bill 115 was introduced by Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina) in April. The House also passed sweepstakes legislation—House Bill 7—on March 13 in an effort to provide oversight to the industry and prohibit sweepstakes gaming under certain conditions.

Senate Bill 115 will now move back to the Senate for a concurrence vote.