Nebraska gambling expansion picking up steam

Phil Rooney

Monday, Aug. 5, 2002 | 9:54 a.m.

OMAHA, Neb. -- The Nebraska Democratic Party had officially opposed expanded gambling.

That all changed Saturday at the party's state convention.

The party's official stance on gambling previously said the economic benefits of expanded legalized gambling do not outweigh the greater socio-economic costs of expanded gambling on all aspects of Nebraska's society.

The plank now says, "We encourage the Legislature to allow the people to have the right to vote on the issue whether to expand legalized gambling. Furthermore, we urge the governor or the Legislature to create a commission for the purpose of studying the impact of gambling on Nebraska and all Nebraskans."

Democratic State Chairman Steve Achelpohl said he stands behind the platform.

"I think what's positive about it is at least our party's discussing it," Achelpohl said. "The Republicans categorically are not."

The party isn't in complete agreement on some aspects of the issue and the change doesn't mean gambling shouldn't be regulated or its effects on the public studied, he said.

"I think there's a strenuous argument that can be made that we ought to allow our citizens to vote on it," Achelpohl said.

The state's budget crisis makes the discussion even more appropriate, he said.

Stormy Dean, the party's candidate for governor, has said a special session of the Legislature should be called to debate the issue of allowing casinos across the state. He also has suggested building a casino by the financially struggling Great Platte River Road Archway Monument on Interstate 80 near Kearney.

The party's position may not matter as it appears Nebraskans could vote on proposed constitutional amendment to allow slot machines.

Organizers turned in about 178,000 signatures to put the proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot. About 107,000 valid signatures are needed.

About 60 counties have returned their signatures to the Secretary of State's office, and about 85 percent of those signatures have been valid.

Dean has said he will vote for the amendment.

If the question appears on the ballot and is approved by voters, the state's constitution would be changed to allow video slot machines in bars, restaurants, race tracks and keno parlors, and in designated video slot parlors within 20 miles of any community that already has video gambling.

Lincoln Sen. DiAnna Schimek also has introduced a proposal in the special session that would legalize casinos on lands owned by the Omaha, Winnebago, Santee Sioux and Ponca tribes in northeast Nebraska.

Five additional casinos operated by anyone would be allowed within two miles of casinos in bordering states. The maximum number of casinos statewide would be nine.

The bill will be the subject of a hearing this week in the General Affairs Committee. It must advance out of that committee and clear three rounds of debate before it could be placed on the November ballot.

Republican Gov. Mike Johanns has opposed the petition to change the state constitution to allow video gambling. Johanns has said he does not believe in building the state's economy on expanded gambling.