Opponents of an Ohio law that effectively bans storefront sweepstakes parlors can start collecting signatures in their effort to have voters repeal the measure next year. State officials today certified an initial 1,000 signatures and petition summary from the group called the Committee to Protect Ohio Jobs. That means it can begin gathering more than 231,000 signatures needed to place a referendum on the ballot. The group wants the law repealed to force legislators to pass a new law regulating the industry and shut down what it calls rogue sweepstakes parlor operators. It has until Sept. 3 to collect the required signatures. More than 620 Internet cafes operate in Ohio, representing competition to legalized casinos and charity games. The law's supporters say Internet cafes were harboring illegal gambling.
Mike Foley joined WCBE in February 2000, coming from WUFT in Gainesville, Florida. Foley has worked in various roles, from producing news and feature stories to engineering Live From Studio A sessions. A series of music features Foley started in 2018 called Music Journeys has grown into a podcast and radio show. He also assists in developing other programs in WCBE's Podcast Experience. Foley hosts The Morning Mix, a weekday music show featuring emerging and established musicians, our Columbus-area and Ohio-based talent, and additional artists that inspire him.