Page 7 - aruba-today-20190701

A7
U.S. NEWS Monday 1 July 2019
Nebraska measure could tip the number of states with casinos

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Ne- and bad for business," said
braska voters may decide Nate Grasz, policy director
next year whether to legal- for the Nebraska Family Al-
ize casino gambling in a liance, a conservative poli-
ballot measure that could cy group that plans to fight
tip the number of states the measure. "All men and
that allow commercial women deserve an oppor-
gambling into the majority. tunity to build the best lives
Supporters of legalized ca- for themselves, and state-
sinos have launched a pe- sanctioned gambling robs
tition drive to place the is- them of that opportunity."
sue on the 2020 ballot with Gambling opponents suc-
financial backing from the cessfully defeated ballot
economic development measures in 2004 and 2006,
corporation owned by the despite being outspent by
Winnebago Tribe of Ne- wealthy casino interests. In
braska. 2014, they challenged a
Twenty-five states — includ- gambling measure in court
ing neighboring Colorado, and persuaded the Ne-
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, braska Supreme Court to
and South Dakota — allow declare it unconstitutional,
commercial casino gam- striking it from the ballot.
bling with games such as But some gambling oppo-
slot machines, craps and nents acknowledge public In this June 28, 2019 photo, the Ameristar Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is seen across the river
roulette wheels, accord- support has grown in recent from downtown Omaha, Neb., rear, where casino gambling is prohibited.
ing to the National Confer- years."It's going to be hard," Associated Press
ence of State Legislatures. said Pat Loontjer, executive
Iowa casinos near Omaha, director of Gambling with
in particular, cater to Ne- the Good Life. "We've been
braska residents looking to doing this for 24 years, and,
gamble. well, the atmosphere in the
"Hundreds of millions of dol- state has changed."
lars go across the border Supporters said they've
every year," said Lance changed the ballot mea-
Morgan, the CEO of Ho- sure to withstand a court
Chunk Inc., the corporation challenge. The latest cam-
pushing the measure on paign will require three
the tribe's behalf. "For a Ne- petitions — a constitu-
braskan to do gaming, you tional amendment to al-
have to go half a mile. It's low casino gambling at
the height of paternalism to state-licensed horse racing
try to try to restrict it." tracks and two state law
Morgan said he's confi- changes to regulate and
dent, based on the group's tax the industry. The state
internal polling, that voters Supreme Court rejected a
will approve the measure if previous measure because
it appears on the ballot. it merged those issues onto
Only two states, Hawaii and one ballot, forcing voters to
Utah, have a complete give one yes-or-no answer
ban on gambling. Nebras- to multiple questions.
ka is among states that al- "We've learned from our
low Native American tribal mistakes in the past," said
casinos that are limited to Bob Moser, president of
bingo and card games the Nebraska Horsemen's
where the house has no Benevolent and Protec-
stake in the outcome, such tive Association. "We have
as poker. Nebraska also of- a really good plan and
fers keno, horse racing and great partners, and we're
a lottery. Commercial casi- very optimistic about our
nos, by contrast, have slot chances this time."
machines, craps, roulette Moser said allowing casinos
wheels and card games at state-licensed horse rac-
such as blackjack. ing tracks would increase
The measure is certain to purse sizes and make horse
face opposition from lead- races larger and more
ing conservatives, includ- competitive, and thus re-
ing Republican Gov. Pete vive the struggling industry.
Ricketts and former Univer- A similar effort failed to gain
sity of Nebraska football enough signatures in 2016,
coach and athletic direc- but independent observers
tor Tom Osborne. blame poor management,
"Casinos are bad for families not a lack of support. q