Some considering linking slot machines with Texas lottery

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005 | 9:23 a.m.

AUSTIN, Texas -- Facing an uphill battle to amend the Texas Constitution to allow video slot machines, some lawmakers are working on legislation to authorize the devices as an extension of the lottery.

Such a bill would only require a majority vote in the House and Senate and then the governor's signature. A proposed constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers and then a vote by the public.

Mike Sizemore, a spokesman for Sen. Ken Armbrister, said Armbrister is trying to determine whether a ballot proposition is required for video lottery terminals. Sizemore said Armbrister, D-Victoria, may draft a VLT bill that does not require a constitutional amendment.

Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, filed a bill last week authorizing VLTs at horse and dog tracks, Indian reservations and yet-to-be-determined locations in nine regions of the state. Turner also filed a constitutional amendment that would place the issue on the ballot in November.

Turner said he thinks video slots should be voted on by the public. He said to try to do it without changing the constitution is "inviting a court challenge."

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