Conservative lobbyists move against slots that entice children

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Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000 | 11:36 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A conservative lobbying group wants Gov. Cecil Underwood and the Legislature to pledge to ban gambling machines from areas where children have access to them.

Delegate Lisa Smith, R-Putnam, was scheduled to sign the pledge today, the first legislator to do so.

Concerned Women for America's West Virginia chapter wants the Legislature to pass the ban this year and subject machine owners to fines, imprisonment and the loss of their business license for violating the ban.

Some gambling machines have themes to attract children, including the Pink Panther, South Park, Candy Land, The Munsters and NASCAR, said Alice Click, the group's director in West Virginia.

"The gambling industry is doing exactly what the tobacco industry did with the Joe Camel. We want to stop them before Joe Gamble gets them," the group said.