The Ohio House voted overwhelmingly today to put an immediate end to the proliferation of slot machine-like games in the state.

The bill would ban cash payouts from the games, or ban any tournament, including those for Golden Tee machines, darts or pool, where the house takes a cut of the proceeds. Banning tournament play, Speaker Jon Husted said, was necessary to avoid the next generation of games, where machine manufacturers get around the law by calling the games tournaments.

“We are trying to get one step ahead this time of what the next attempt will be,” Husted said.

Passing 82-13, the bill now heads to the Senate, where President Bill M. Harris, R-Ashland, has expressed support for the measure. It is similar to an executive order by Gov. Ted Strickland who, along with Attorney General Marc Dann, has unsuccessfully tried to stop the flood of machines without a change in law.

Courts have thus far allowed the so-called skill-based games to remain in operation. Tens of thousands are now played at locations including parlors, bars and horse racing tracks across Ohio.

The bill was passed as an emergency measure, which means it would take effect immediately after Strickland signs it.

Husted, R-Kettering, said the electronic gaming issue must be dealt with immediately. The emergency measure also prevents an attempt to go to the ballot and overturn the law through a referendum.

The gaming ban was attached to a bill allowing ownership of two horse tracks in Ohio, instead of the current restriction of one. Rep. Lou Blessing, a Cincinnati Republican and strong supporter of legalized gambling in Ohio, sponsored the horse track bill, but ended up voting against his own bill after it was amended.