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Georgia Senate Bans Video Gambling

``In a rare show of bipartisan agreement during a special session noted for its bitter partisan divisions, the senators approved Gov. Roy Barnes' bill that would make video-gambling machines contraband devices beginning Jan. 1.

``…The legislator most identified with trying to ban video gambling is Sen. Mike Beatty, R-Jefferson. He held hearings on the issue last winter and lobbied Barnes all spring and summer to include video gambling in the special session. He was pleased with the Senate vote.

``But there are signs that the bill's rapid progress will slow when it hits the House.

``It was in the House that a bill restricting video gambling died March 21, the closing night of this year's regular legislative session. Rep. David Lucas, D-Macon, single-handedly killed the measure with a last-minute filibuster in the final moments of the session.

``He said he plans to work just as hard to amend or block this bill when it reaches the House next week.

``At issue is the way people get prizes from video-poker and video-slot machines. The electronic machines currently are legal in Georgia, but cash prizes are not. People who play the games may legally win noncash prizes of up to $5 per play. But Georgia law allows players to accumulate their winnings over multiple plays, effectively eliminating the $5 limit.

``According to the GBI report, many businesses issue gift certificates that are easily convertible to cash, or even flout the law altogether and award cash directly to winners.

``…But Lucas and others say it's unfair to penalize legitimate businesspeople because a few operators break the law…"

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