Nebraska group pushes for casino gambling at horse tracks
The Ho-Chunk-led group is insisting on a bill that would allow casino gambling at Nebraska horse tracks.
US.- Nebraska horse tracks are seeking to expand their operations, this time by supporting a bill that would allow voters in the 2020 general election to decide whether to expand gambling at state-licensed horse race tracks.
The Ho-Chunk-led ballot was filed with Nebraska election officials. The campaign committee, called Keep the Money in Nebraska, wants to amend the local state constitution to legalise gambling. The initiative also includes two statutory measures to regulate casino gaming.
“Nebraskans’ money is funding other states’ priorities. There’s a lot of good this money can do right here in Nebraska,” said Lance Morgan, president and CEO of Ho-Chunk.
Estimations say that Nebraska misses US$500 million in taxes and proceeds that residents wager annually in neighboring states. Petition sponsors said that expanded gambling would generate US$50 million in new tax revenue. This money would help fund property tax relief, education and the Nebraska Gamblers Assistance Fund.
“I am very happy that the Nebraska Horsemen are continuing their partnership with Ho-Chunk, Inc. and Nebraska’s First People. This union of past and present ensures a bright future for horse racing. It will stem the flow of Nebraska dollars to neighboring states,” said Barry Lake, president of the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent Protection Association.
