Committee on gambling bill set to meet today

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Compromise continues to elude state lawmakers on a wide-ranging regulatory bill affecting Ohio casinos, racetrack slots and other forms of gambling.

The negotiating committee has set its next meeting for today after two postponements in a week. The panel seeks to iron out differences between House and Senate versions of the bill.

State Rep. Ron Gerberry, an Austintown Democrat, said Tuesday that he is insisting the bill retain his proposal to set aside $500,000 a year for communities that host one of Ohio’s newly authorized horsetrack slots parlors, or racinos.

He said the money would go to local police and fire departments, which will need extra money to police and protect the facilities.

Gerberry said the panel is divided over his proposal.