Non-profits say commercial gambling hurts fund-raising

Monday, June 24, 2002 | 11:06 a.m.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- Some non-profit organizations are worried that an effort to expand gambling in Nebraska will further hurt their ability to raise money.

Charitable gambling has been in decline for seven years, and many who run those operations say allowing video slot machines will pull even more money from their efforts.

"I'm afraid that would make a huge hit on us," Karen Robison, development director for Central Catholic Middle and High School, said.

Last year the school generated more than $1.5 million in gross pickle card sales -- down from $2.9 million just five years ago.

Robison blames state lottery and keno for much of that loss.

The Committee for Local Option Gaming is circulating petitions to place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot to give local cities, villages and counties the option of allowing video slot gambling in their communities. Local governments now can allow keno parlors.

The amendment would not expand gambling to other manual casino games, such as blackjack or roulette.