Ohio lawmakers want no smoking in casinos

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio lawmakers want the state’s four new casinos to be smoke-free, with no alcohol served after 2:30 a.m., and with slots winnings paid in chips, not coins.

Those are some areas of common ground in the sets of casino rules proposed by the Ohio House and Senate. House lawmakers introduced their bill Tuesday, a day after senators did. The two chambers planned to have separate hearings on their proposals today.

The House and Senate bills also agree that a new seven-member gaming commission should oversee the casinos, and that the establishments must bar patrons younger than 21.

One key difference involves minority hiring at the casinos. Unlike the Senate bill, the House version requires casino operators to set diversity goals.