Court Tells Beulah to Unplug Machines

January 22, 2010

The Franklin County Municipal Court ordered Beulah Park racetrack last week to pull 30 computer terminals that resemble slot machines.

The court's ruling was in line with an agreement between Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien and Beulah Park, which shut down the 30 Sweepstakes terminals after O'Brien concluded that they violated Ohio's anti-gambling law.

In an agreement with Judge Harland H. Hale, Beulah Park pledged to store the 30 machines until lawmakers or voters allow them or a Franklin County court concludes that they are legal.

Spinners Cafe, which continues to operate dozens of Sweepstakes machines in Columbus, is challenging O'Brien's declaration that its machines violate state law. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Monday.