Ohio's facing a three billion dollar budget deficit. But the Bowling Association of Ohio says it can raise more than 130 million dollars for the state of Ohio, if they can install video lottery terminals, or V-L-T's, better known as slot machines.
"The proprietors view it as very simple to maintain and it would be easy monitor. It would be very secure," Camelot Lanes owner Peppe Smith said.
They'd like to see ten of the machines in each of the 300 bowling alleys across the state, that way no neighborhoods are left out. Already, Mahoning Valley legislators are showing their support.
"It is one mechanism that we have, a tool in our tool box to expand some revenue for the state of Ohio," Rep. Ron Gerberry (D)-Austintown said.
"I would be in favor of if it had some restrictions, to either have them in blocked off areas or have them limited in number, limited in time of use. I think those are all things to be considered," Sen. Joe Schiavoni, (D)-Canfield said.
Camelot Lanes in Boardman would put the slot machines in the bar area and would even close it off, so people under age couldn't get in.
"We have a population of youth, and we would not want to expose gambling to our young population," Smith said.
The state budget is currently in the conference committee where politicians are considering the VLT idea. A decision could come by next month.
