State law keeps from hitting jackpot

TOLEDO, Ohio (WUPW) - Laws regulating gaming in the state of Ohio have Fred Franklin of Rec Room Specialties concerned, so much so he fears he could have to close up shop.

Franklin, though, is holding out hope it won't come to that, but with four casinos soon to be operational in Ohio - the first in Toledo by early 2012 - the new rules surrounding what can and can't be done in the state could keep him from hitting the jackpot.

Thousands in Ohio have a taste of Vegas or a casino right in their own homes.

"we're Northwest Ohio's largest provider of exceptionally tacky piggy banks," Franklin said.

Rec Room Specialties in Central Toledo is a wholesale distributor of home slot machines.

Franklin said business was doing pretty well until the recession hit, making his payout much less than it had been in the past.

With things starting to look up, he has a new concern.

"The casino coming (to Toledo) is not really been a great thing for us, especially because there's been a lot of questions whether or not they're going to continue to allow home use of slot machines," Franklin said.

Some of those questions come from a bill in the Ohio House of Representatives that basically states no one can establish, promote, or operate any game of chance conducted for profit or any scheme of chance.

So, the fear is owning a home use slot machine or even having a poker game in your home could be illegal. That means, as this reads, Franklin could be out of business.

"Our suppliers will not sell to us in a state that's illegal," he said.

State Rep. Barbara Sears of Sylvania told FOX Toledo News she has received verbal confirmation that this legislation will not affect home slot machines. Franklin, though, said if it's not in writing he won't be able to purchase any more equipment.