Lottery panel approves proposed Ohio slots rules

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Ohio Lottery Commission has approved proposed rules on racetrack slot machine that have drawn criticism from church leaders.

The lottery’s overseers gave the green light to let the new video slots operate at horse tracks seven days a week, 24 hours a day, and 18-year-olds would be allowed to play.

There’s still a public hearing and final vote on the rules scheduled for next month.

The Ohio Council of Churches is promising to fight the plan, saying the rules would make slots alluring to poor urban residents and teens ill-equipped to handle gambling debts.

The American Gaming Association trade organization says Ohio would join New York, Oklahoma, Rhode Island and South Dakota in allowing 18-year-olds to gamble.

The new slots are expected to generate $933 million in state revenue over two years.