Controlling Board Clears Funding For New Raffle Machines For Veterans Posts

A state legislative panel has authorized the Ohio Lottery to spend $22.5 million to build and operate new electronic raffle machines for veterans' posts and fraternal organizations. The state Controlling Board cleared the funding Monday at a hearing packed with veterans largely opposed to the move. The request funds 1,200 machines made by Intralot, a Greece-based international company that manufactures other lottery machines. A lottery official told the panel the devices will be pilot tested before more are rolled out. Lottery pursued the new devices after Attorney General Mike DeWine declared earlier raffle machines illegal. DeWine ordered those devices shut down, but that order is on hold pending court action. An American Legion director has complained new machines are being forced on posts and lodges whose old devices were working fine.