Casino industry betting on House races

Benjamin Grove

Tuesday, May 9, 2000 | 11:03 a.m.

Donations

These are donations from the casino/gambling industry, including Indian casinos, to political party committees that give money to House races. The committees make donations to candidates and pay for political advertising.

1999: $847,371 1997: $197,000 1995: $25,233

1999: $448,700 1997: $18,615 1995: $27,000

Source: Center for Responsive Politics, Federal Election Commission

WASHINGTON -- Casinos are giving more money than ever to fuel the nation's heated political races for seats in the U.S. House.

The gambling industry in 1999 gave $448,700 to the National Republican Congressional Committee and $847,341 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks campaign money. The Washington-based center on Monday released an analysis of industries that give money to House races.

The casino money figures from 1999 are up dramatically from congressional campaign seasons in 1995 and 1997.

The gambling industry has now pulled itself into the ranks of top donors that include the health care, electric utility and real estate industries.

In a list of industries, casinos last year ranked as the No. 8 donor to the House Democratic party committee -- casinos now rank ahead of the perennial powerhouse insurance and pharmaceutical industries.

Casinos were the No. 13 donor to Republicans in 1999. The industry was barely a blip at the bottom of a long list in 1997 with a puny $18,615 gift.

"They (gaming industry) are one of the fastest-rising industries that we have seen," Larry Makinson, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, said.

Gaming companies have long given money to individual candidates -- $409,000 this year and last year -- but the companies now are showering far more money on the parties than before. Big party donors garner more attention in Congress, Makinson said.

"The gaming industry is very pragmatic," Makinson said. "They need friends on Capitol Hill, and there are members on both sides of the aisle who are very willing to step forward and be friends for a price."

While much of the nation focuses on the presidential race, the parties are fiercely battling for control of the House, where Republicans hold a 222-211 majority. Congress watchers say roughly 25 races are too close to call.

"This is where the action is," Democratic committee spokesman Erik Smith said.

Casinos traditionally have spent more money on state races. But nearly every industry is giving more to congressional races this year because of the tight races and narrow Republican majority.

"The gaming industry is riding a wave of increased spending among all industries," Makinson said.

Insiders note that the gaming industry also has been the subject of more legislation in Congress. The results of the Congress-ordered National Gambling Impact Study Commission were released last year; this year Congress is considering a bill that would ban betting on college sports.

"Over the last few years it has become apparent that the state of Nevada and its leading industry are under assault in our nation's capitol," Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said. "They need to have a seat at the table."

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., agreed gamers need a greater "presence on the Hill."

"And that costs money," Gibbons said.

Gibbons said the stakes are high as both sides wage an intense game of king-of-the-hill.

"We believe our philosophy is the philosophy of the nation, and I'm sure the members on the other side of the aisle think their philosophy of tax-and-spend big government is what is needed," Gibbons said. "We'll let the American people have their say in November."