Tribal casinos proposed for Nebraska

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2001 | 11:22 a.m.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The state runs a lottery and sanctions wagering on horse racing, keno, bingo and pickle cards.

So Lincoln Sen. DiAnna Schimek thinks it is only fair that casino gambling be allowed on the state's American Indian reservations.

Convincing her legislative colleagues is another matter.

For the second straight year, Schimek has proposed allowing the state's voters to decide whether tribes can operate casinos in Nebraska.

The state's four tribes support the measure and say it is their sovereign right to decide for themselves whether to allow casino gambling on their land. They also say the revenue generated by casinos would help them improve their depressed economic lot.

Opponents argue the amendment would eventually lead to casino-style gambling across Nebraska controlled by interests from Las Vegas and others outside the state. They also cite recent increases in the number of people who seek help for compulsive gambling.

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