CLEVELAND (AP) — Veterans and fraternal groups across Ohiohave continued to set up electronic
raffle machines despite an Aprilorder from the state’s attorney general mandating that all theslots-like
devices be removed by Aug. 1.Now, Attorney GeneralMike DeWine has decided to delay enforcing the ban
after state Senateleaders notified him that they’re considering legalizing the devices,The Plain Dealer
(http://bit.ly/17zIQ27 ) reported on
Monday."We’restanding down for now, but we are not going to stand down forever," thehead of
DeWine’s charitable-law section, Pete Thomas, told thenewspaper. He added that local authorities are
free to pursue cases.ASenate leadership spokesman said senators don’t have a definitetimetable on the
issue but are likely to help the veterans and fraternalgroups.Some of the machines were installed as
recently as mid-August.Anattorney for a supplier of the machines, David Kopech, said theyresemble slots.
The machines produce $1 raffle tickets that functionlike instant lottery vouchers, said Kopech, of the
Columbus-basedCharitable Management and Capital Group.Winners can earn up to $1,199, a dollar shy of the
threshold for reporting to the Internal Revenue Service.Alobbyist for the Ohio Veterans and Fraternal
Charitable Coalition,Mitch Given, said the groups must offer electronic games to be able tocompete with
casinos, combined race tracks and casinos known as racinosand other venues that offer Keno and Internet
cafes.Given said if there’s no legislative action the groups will take their case to
court.___Information from: The Plain Dealer, http://www.cleveland.comCopyright 2013 The
Associated Press. All rightsreserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten
orredistributed.