By Laura Rice
Monday, August 24, 2009 at 4:15 p.m.
Read more: Local, State, Politics, Community, Entertainment, Consumer, Ballot, Issue, Casino, Gambling, Gamble, Bingo, Card, Game, Church, Charity, Fund, Fundraiser
TOLEDO, OH -- A ballot issue that would allow a casino to be built in Toledo might also make it illegal to place a bet for charity.
At least that is according to those against Issue 3.
Attorney General Richard Cordray says the rumor could be true.
His statement says the ballot language "would create a risk that a court could determine that some "games of chance" currently operated by charitable organizations would no longer be allowed."
The initiative language points out that bingo and horse racing are protected but makes no exceptions for charitable and church game nights and gambling.
That is a little scary for some local non-profits.
"Dealin' for Dogs is our major special-event fundraiser. It's one of a number of different things that we do to raise money," said Jan Brown, Executive Director for Assistance Dogs of America.
Brown says their Dealin' for Dogs brings in big bucks but, if they had to change it for legal purposes, it would not be anything new.
"You become very create in how you raise money," said Brown. "You also diversify your funding base a great deal so that you don't depend on one particular event or one particular project."
But the issue's authors say jan has nothing to worry about.
"The bottom line is that Issue 3 has absolutely no affect on charitable gaming. Period," said Bob Tenenbaum, Spokesman for Ohio Jobs and Growth Plan.
Tenebaum says just because the amendment does not mention charitable gaming, does not mean it will become illegal.
"This amendment doesn't mention speeding laws either and I think anybody would be being kind of silly if they tried to claim that our amendment would somehow change Ohio's speeding laws," said Tenenbaum. "They're totally separate parts of the law and there's no reason at all legally to think that our amendment in any way affects charitable gaming."
Two state church organizations: Catholic Conference of Ohio and Ohio Council of Churches have issued statements against Issue 3.
But they have admitted that they are against the casinos on moral grounds and not just because of the threat to church festivals.
