[newgeezer]

Slot Machines in Iowa Convenience Stores ... Tom Vilsack has made electronic slot machines available to Iowa ... children

I'm neither a fan of Vil(e)sack nor a fan of gambling. For that matter, I'm no fan of Nussle's proposed ethanol-blended gasoline mandate, either.

But, to set the record straight, (1) these Touchplay machines are required (perhaps by law?) to be off-limits to children. If children are playing them, that's the fault of the proprietor, not the governor. Blaming Vil(e)sack for that is too much like blaming Smith & Wesson for kids having access to guns. (2) These are no more "slot machines" than are the pocket electronic "slot machines" sold by Radio Shack. Because, from what I've heard, the Touchplays dispense lottery tickets, not cash; thus, they're nothing more than the lottery's latest marketing gimmick.

[starbase]

Because, from what I've heard, the Touchplays dispense lottery tickets, not cash; thus, they're nothing more than the lottery's latest marketing gimmick.

In Oregon they dispense a receipt for money (the credits you won playing) then the bar or restaurant will give you the money. More often than not, however, people just throw money in and get nothing.

I wouldn't care if people had gone to a casino on purpose, but the state's hiding these things in bars where people go to relax and drink is a bit predatory, and seedy, I think.

[iowamark]

The machines pay out in paper tickets to be redeemed by the bartender or cashier. That does not make them any the less slot machines.

They are supposed to be “monitored” to prevent children from playing. But placing loud flashing slot machines in child friendly environments like supermarkets and C-stores is clearly designed to promote slots to the young and naive.

Vilsack and the Dems know exactly what they are doing. Gambling has been one of the few winning issues for Dems nationally in recent years. Republicans oppose it at their own peril.

Gambling is so addictive to both the players and proprietors that we need to draw the line now.

http://www.ialottery.com/Touchplay/Touchplayjt.html

About TouchPlay

The Iowa Lottery is the first lottery in the nation to offer TouchPlay, vending machines that use video and sound to reveal the results of the pull-tab tickets they dispense.

Players insert money into the monitor vending machines as they do with any other vending machine. However, after the ticket is dispensed, the machine's video monitor displays the results of the ticket while entertaining electronic tones indicate whether the ticket has won a prize.

• The machines don't pay out money. Players redeem the winning tickets at the business where the machine is located.

• The machines are able to build up credit, but cash prizes must be obtained from a store clerk.

TouchPlay machines are located in convenience stores, bars, restaurants, fraternal clubs and other locations where play can be monitored by an attendant to assure no under-age players use the machines.

The TouchPlay machines in Iowa are manufactured by Diamond Game Enterprises Inc. of Chatsworth, Calif. and Oasis Gaming of Omaha, Neb.

Ticket price: Games prices range from 25 cents to $1.

Prizes: Prizes range from $1 to $600.

If you are a retailer interested in placing a machine in your store, click here.

Overall odds:??

[nellutgen]

Because, from what I've heard, the Touchplays dispense lottery tickets, not cash; thus, they're nothing more than the lottery's latest marketing gimmick.

Touchplays dispense the same type of ticket you get at the casino, you redeem them with the clerk for cash...sure look like slot machines to me.