Gaming briefs for Sept. 4, 2003

Thursday, Sept. 4, 2003 | 11:17 a.m.

New gambling pact reached

MADISON, Wis. -- Gov. Jim Doyle and the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians have agreed on a new gambling compact that will pay the state $3.65 million over the next two years in exchange for expanded games at the tribe's casino, state officials said Wednesday.

The compact is the 10th Doyle has reached with the 11 Wisconsin tribes that run casinos in the state. A deal with the Lac Du Flambeau is still pending.

Like the other nine compacts, the Stockbridge-Munsee deal has no expiration date. The tribes' old compacts expired every five years.

But Republicans who control the state Legislature filed a lawsuit with the state Supreme Court in April challenging the governor's authority to negotiate compacts. The justices are still mulling whether to take it up or send it through lower courts.

Gordon Baldwin, the Republicans' attorney, said if the Republicans win the case, it could set a precedent that could wipe out all compacts Doyle, a Democrat, has brokered.

The Stockbridge-Munsee's compact would allow the tribe to expand gaming at their casino near Bowler in northwestern Wisconsin. The tribe would be allowed to add games such as craps, roulette and poker, similar to the other tribes' deals.

In exchange, the tribe would make payments to the state of $3 million in 2004 and $650,000 in 2005. The tribe would pay a percentage of its winnings in subsequent years.

The deal is still subject to federal review.

Lottery sales top $2 billion

TRENTON, N.J. -- New Jersey Lottery sales topped the $2 billion mark for the second consecutive year even though sales of tickets for both the Pick 6 Lotto and Lotzee games dropped significantly.

The lottery, which is New Jersey's fourth-largest revenue producer, brought in $764 million to state coffers in the fiscal year that ended in June. That was an increase of $10 million over the previous year.

The biggest sales gains last year were registered for the state's instant games, which increased by 16.5 percent to more than $900 million.

The lottery runs up to 40 instant games at a time. They feature themes such as blackjack, crossword puzzles and classic television shows, such as "I Love Lucy." The game cards cost from $1 to $10 to play.

"We've done a good job of marketing the right products," Lottery Director Virginia S. Bauer said.