Governor looks at legalizing video gambling

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MADISON, Wis. -- In an attempt to tighten control of the state's underground video gambling industry, Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson is examining legalizing gaming machines in Wisconsin bars.

Thompson signed a bill last year that essentially decriminalized possession of the machines by bar owners. Ownership of five or less machines was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $500.

Now, one of the governor's top aides said, Thompson is considering legalizing the machines outright to allow the state to regulate and tax them. But in legalizing the machines, the maximum number of machines would be lowered to three.

"It's not a high priority for law enforcement, and the state's better off making it legal and licensing it, so there's some stronger oversight of it and some regulation and a benefit to the taxpayer," said Kevin Keane, Thompson's executive assistant.

Keane did not say when the governor would propose the change, but said it would probably not be in the near future.

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