DOVER, Del.- The Delaware House of Representatives is planning to look at a bill Wednesday on video gambling machines at places like VFWs and Moose Lodges.
This bill would be a temporary stop-gap that would expire on June 30. But for the time being, it would allow these organizations to turn their machines back on.
Groups across the state say they have lost out of thousands they would use for charity over the past two months. The state told them to shut down the machines back in November - saying the way the machines were being run was not legal.
Officials wanted more regulation. This bill provides it.
It allows for up to 20 machines in each establishment. And it defines the split of the money between the players, the state and the organizations.
According to a news release from House Democrats: "Under the terms of the bill, the machines must pay out to players between 50 and 70 percent of each dollar put into them. After that payout, organizations would be required to pay 43.5 percent of the proceeds to the state. That is the same percentage that Delaware's three casinos pay to the state under current law."
The release also says the state would have to approve all locations and machine vendors. The groups would also have to provide monthly reports to the lottery office.
Lawmakers say it is extremely important they pass this bill this week. After that, they will be on a six-week break for budget hearings.
