Casino gambling legalisation advances in Nebraska
A campaign to legalise casino gambling at the states horse racing tracks has gone better than expected after its supporters raised more than US$1.1 million to place the issue on the November ballot.
US.- A campaign that aims to legalise casino gambling at Nebraska horse racing tracks has gone better than expected for its supporters, who raised more than US$1.1 million to place the issue on the November ballot.
According to pro-casino group “Keep the Money in Nebraska” spokesman, Scott Lautenbaugh, the group has not only met its signature goals in numerous counties but it is collecting even more to demonstrate that the proposal has strong support in the state.
“We’re supremely confident we’ll gather a sufficient number of signatures, but we’re going to keep running as if we’re behind,” said Lautenbaugh. The response to the petition “has been more positive than we ever dared to hope. People understand our message and they’re tired of the status quo.”
On the other hand, gambling opponents admit that the petition drive will likely succeed in placing the issue on the ballot, so they’ve shifted their focus to the election. The anti-casino group “Gambling with the Good Life” is working to build a coalition of church members, business leaders and prominent citizens to oppose the casino measures as the election approaches.
Pat Loontjer , the group’s Executive Director, said two of the state’s three Catholic dioceses have already agreed to participate, as well as Methodist and Jewish groups. “Basically, every church in Nebraska will get the word out to vote no,” she said.
