The annual battle over what is and what is not an illegal gambling machine began Thursday with a Senate committee hearing on a bill to ban “pre-reveal” games that have proliferated throughout the state.

While several prosecutions are pending and at least two have been resolved with guilty verdicts, many prosecutors are reluctant to file charges – and some do not think the games are illegal at all.

State Sen. Dan Hegeman, who is leading the effort in the Senate for the second year, told the Government Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee Thursday morning that he’s convinced legislation isn’t needed for prosecutors to act.