Gaming briefs for June 29, 2004

Tuesday, June 29, 2004 | 11:11 a.m.

Casino ordered to raise gambling age to 21

SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- State regulators have ordered WinnaVegas Casino to raise its legal gambling age from 18 to 21 or face a possible suspension of its gaming compact.

The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals sent a letter telling the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, which operates the casino, it must assure the state by Wednesday that its policy has changed or the compact could be terminated.

"The state is resolute in ensuring that Iowa law is followed with respect to prohibiting underage gaming at any venue within the state, and that includes your gaming operation," wrote Steven Young, director of inspections and appeals.

The Winnebago tribe contends it isn't bound by the state's gambling laws because of tribal sovereignty so it has ignored the law since 1999. That's the year the tribe lowered the minimum age to 18 in an effort to increase its market share in western Iowa.

State officials say a law passed by the Iowa Legislature this spring makes underage gambling at all riverboats and casinos a crime.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.:

The Tennessee Lottery expects to transfer about $120 million next month to fund the first semester of HOPE college scholarships, well above the $88 million budgeted for the program. Another $1.9 million from unclaimed prizes will go to after-school programs, lottery President Rebecca Paul said Monday.