Thursday, Feb. 21, 2002 | 9:55 a.m.
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Casinos could begin popping up all over Nebraska under an idea debated Wednesday in the state's Legislature.
Up to five casinos, operated by the state, could open within two miles of the border of neighboring states that already allow casinos, under an amendment to an American Indian casino gambling proposal.
Of the six states bordering Nebraska, only Wyoming does not allow casino gambling.
The amendment is similar to a bill advanced by the General Affairs Committee on Tuesday. That proposed constitutional amendment, if approved by voters, also would allow slot machines in horse racing tracks currently operating in the state.
That proposal was advanced to the full Legislature on a 7-1 vote. Lincoln Sen. Chris Beutler introduced the idea of allowing casinos along the state's borders as an amendment during debate Wednesday. His amendment did not include allowing slot machines at race tracks.
Supporters of broader gambling hope to merge it with the more restrictive approach proposed by Lincoln Sen. DiAnna Schimek.
Under her proposal, casinos would be allowed only on reservation lands owned by the Omaha, Winnebago and Santee Sioux tribes. A small portion of land used as a burial ground by the Ponca tribe also would qualify.
The state's four tribes support the measure and say it is their sovereign right to decide for themselves whether to allow casinos on their land. They also say the revenue generated by casinos would help them improve their depressed economic lot.
The Santee Sioux has been operating a casino on its reservation in extreme northeast Nebraska for six years, but state and federal authorities contend it is illegal. Tribal leaders have long argued the 15-employee casino is helping boost the reservation's economy.
Schimek said she wants to focus on improving conditions for the tribes. If expanded gambling is allowed in other parts of the state besides Indian reservations, the value to the state's tribes is diminished, she said.
The odds are stacked against supporters of expanded gambling.
In an Associated Press pre-session survey of state senators, 31 of 49 said they were against efforts to legalize casino-style gambling, another five said they were leaning that way and one senator did not participate in the survey.
If passed this session, voters would decide in the November election whether to allow casinos in the state.
Opponents argue the proposed constitutional changes would eventually lead to casino-style gambling across Nebraska. They also cite recent increases in the number of people who seek help for compulsive gambling.
"If anything else would have this adverse effect on our society, or even the risk of it, we wouldn't have anything to do with it," Sen. Bob Kremer of Aurora said.
Two groups are circulating petitions to put other constitutional amendments up for a public vote in November that would allow for video slot machines. One group wants to allow those machine in bars and restaurants; the other wants them in keno parlors.
archive
