When the casinos became a reality here in Ohio (2 opening in May and 2 more opening later this year), I knew that sooner or later this would come. I just thought it would be later.

Just the fact that some legislators here are drafting legislation has me excited!

"Gambling to benefit charity may reach all Ohio counties"

www.toledoblade.com/local/2012/05/01/Gam...Ohio-counties-1.html

I feel that this will only help increase poker's popularity and surely can't hurt the online regulation of the game we love ( or love to hate)!

What do you think?

I couldn't help but notice a few points.

1."Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols said the governor opposes the provision."

*****As fun as this all sounds, it' snot likely Kasich will sign a bill he opposes.

2."to allow the creation of a government-sanctioned poker room"
Note the singular "a".

*****One room per county.

3."would allow any county to designate a privately owned facility within its borders for charitable Texas Hold 'Em, blackjack....."

*****Government to designate, no competition in the markeplace? Anytime the government is mucking around in business, the results are predictable.

Would love to have the opportunity to open up "GeeBee's Cowboy Hat Club" in montgomery county. A place where you could find a squarely delt proper fair game without any of the riff raff or cheats. However, Seems like I won't get a chance.

Would love to have some local places and choices in live games without any risk of being robbed or held under gun point by the authorities, however, I have my doubts this is ever going to go through. Rooting for it anyway.

GeeBeeQED

Just fact that they would write it up is encouraging to me. Which means if not passed in this form, there may be a loosening of the laws and allow cardrooms for charities. And, also would make Ohio what I would consideer a poker friendly state, which I believe can only help towards the battle to get Online poker regulated and legal!

I would hope they would. If it became like Michigan, I'd open a room right away. I've always wanted to. However, anytime there is anything that is really profitable, the goverment comes in and ties it up so you can only enter the business with permit that is only issued to the favored few. Look at what they did with the casino legislation. It was legislated to specific companies. The DOJ shut down online and at some point it will be opened back up, but only when the gov gets it's share of the action and gets to control the monopolys. I see it as part of a bigger plan. Too much money being tossed around for them not to filter themselves in.

One card room per county means it would be a political apointment of some kind and there would be no competition. No competition means the rakes will be high and etc. Like any business the goverment mucks about in, it gets expensive and all messed up.

Don't get me wrong, I'll be the first one to step through if the door is opened.

GeeBeeQED