Mayor Testifies in Columbus on Internet Cafes

Mayor Thomas Perciak urged state lawmakers this week to make a decision about whether are legal forms of entertainment or illegal gambling operations.

Perciak testified June 14 before the Ohio House of Representatives, saying cities have been left on their own to decide how to deal with the cafes, which sell customers time on computers to play online games -- some of which resemble casino games.

"Some communities, like Strongsville, have declared the games of chance illegal, while others have gone so far as to license, regulate and impose fees," he said.

Others have "simply tolerated them without endorsing them," he added.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is looking into the issue, supporting legislation to oversee gaming that takes place at Internet cafes and similar establishments.

The bill addresses electronic games that look like slot machines, which DeWine said can mislead players and cause confusion for law enforcement.

In fact, Perciak said DeWine recently called the machines "nothing more than glorified slot machines" that are being used illegally.

Proponents argue that because the outcome is predetermined -- rather than games of chance -- the games are a type of sweepstakes, not gambling.

Perciak said the lack of case law and guidance from the state legislature has made it difficult for cities to know how to handle the businesses.

He also said any legislation the state adopts should give cities the ability to regulate and limit even legal skill-based games.