Ohio lawmakers approve crackdown on Internet cafes

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A proposal that would effectively ban Internet cafes targeted as illegal gambling operations cleared the Ohio Legislature on Wednesday after more than two years of wrangling.

The Ohio Senate passed the measure on 27-6 vote, less than a year after blocking passage of a similar bill. Testimony by owners and employees of sweepstakes parlors failed to persuade legislators that the more than 620 cafes should continue and are legal.