Tic Tac Fruit machines now illegal

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Slot-like gambling machines that have been proliferating throughout the state as a result of a loophole in gambling law are now illegal.

Gov. Ted Strickland on today signed into law a bill that strengthens the definition of the “skill-based” machines that are legal and limits to $10 cash payouts and prizes from such games — such as those at Chuck E. Cheese.

The bill contained an emergency clause that made the law effective as soon as the governor signed it.

The measure was passed swiftly in both the Senate and House in recent weeks over objections that lawmakers rushed it through without any chance for public comment.

Games based on chance are illegal in Ohio. The new law is intended to shut down machines like Tic Tac Fruit that depend on chance but require a certain level of skill. Lawmakers said the update was needed because machines took advantage of a law that banned machines based largely or wholly on chance.

The new law will not apply to darts, billiards and bowling, but lawmakers disagreed over what kind of impact overall the law would have on the gaming industry.