Now that voters have legalized casino gambling in Nebraska, state lawmakers are trying to figure out how to regulate the industry and use some of the revenue it generates.
Members of the Legislature's General Affairs Committee dug into those details Monday in a public hearing focused on the soon-to-arrive casinos.
Some of the proposals considered would prohibit casino visitors from using credit cards to gamble, allow misdemeanor charges for people who cheat and require casinos to set up a way for gambling addicts to voluntarily bar themselves from the facilities.
One provision of a bill would only allow sports betting inside casinos, an idea that drew opposition from a lawmaker whose district isn't currently eligible to get a casino.
“My community is feeling the effects (of casino gambling), but in no way will we draw the revenue,†said Sen. Justin Wayne, who represents a high-poverty section of north Omaha.
Roughly two-thirds of Nebraska voters approved constitutional amendments in November to allow casinos at the state's six licensed horse racing tracks and devote some of the money to a tax credit for property owners. The ballot campaign was bankrolled by Ho-Chunk Inc., a company owned by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, which is now working to open casinos at tracks in Lincoln, Omaha and South Sioux City.
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Lance Morgan, the president and CEO of Ho-Chunk, said the industry needs some regulations to clarify issues that couldn't be placed on the ballot measure, such as sports betting. He said the casinos will help Lincoln and Omaha by providing jobs for residents.
Gambling opponents, including Gov. Pete Ricketts, argued that the casinos will increase gambling addictions, leading to an increase in crime and personal bankruptcies.
Sen. Suzanne Geist of Lincoln proposed a bill that would divert some of Lincoln casino's tax revenue to the group that organizes the Super Fair in her district. Cities and counties opposed the idea, saying it takes away their discretion to use the money for other needs.
Geist pointed to the Nebraska State Fair, which receives some of its funding from the Nebraska Lottery, and said she was looking for ways to finance the Lancaster County fair without using property taxes.
“Once (the money) ends up in the general fund, it's very difficult to designate those dollars,†she said.
Sen. Tom Briese, chairman of the General Affairs Committee, said it's important for lawmakers to move quickly to set up clear rules for the casinos, even though he personally opposes gambling.
“It's our responsibility to ensure that the will of the voters is respected,†said Briese of Albion.
Committee members took no immediate action on the bills.
Top Journal Star photos for January
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LINCOLN, NEB. - 01/25/2021 - A man, who did not give his name, clears the sidewalk using a snowblower during a record breaking winter storm hit downtown Lincoln on Monday, January 25, 2021. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
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LINCOLN, NEB. - 01/25/2021 - Brothers of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity hold on to mattresses while being pulled by a pickup truck along the street in front of the UNL Union during a winter storm in downtown Lincoln on Monday, January 25, 2021. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
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LINCOLN, NEB. - 01/25/2021 - Judith Andre takes a break from shoveling her sidewalk for a quick portrait during a record breaking winter storm in downtown Lincoln on Monday, January 25, 2021. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
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Lincoln Southeast's McGinness Schneider (4) is fouled by Lincoln Northeast's Zander Beard (14) as he drives to the basket in the first half Jan. 23 at Lincoln Southeast.
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Lincoln Northeast's Pierce Bazil (23) celebrates at the final buzzer as the Rockets defeat Lincoln Southeast 59-53 on Jan. 23 at Lincoln Southeast High School.
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Northwestern's Maxx Mayfield slams Nebraska's Caleb Licking in a 157-pound match in January 2021 at the Devaney Sports Center.
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A health care professional work to fill syringes with doses of the Moderna vaccine at a mass vaccination clinic at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Friday.
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A health care worker gets the first dose of the Moderna vaccine by a nurse at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Jan. 22.
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Lincoln High's Kiana Wiley (left) celebrates a key layup late in the game against Lincoln East on Jan. 23 at Lincoln High.
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Waverly's Abbie Carter (43) reacts after getting called for a foul against Wahoo's Toni Greenfield (10) with 1.3 seconds left in the game, giving Wahoo a chance to tie the game with two free throws Jan. 21 in Wahoo. Greenfield missed both shots and the Vikings held on with a 48-46 win over the Warriors.
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York's Destiny Shepherd (11) drives to the basket to score a game-tying basket against Norris' Brianna Stai (24) in the closing seconds of the first half Jan. 19 in York.
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Norris' Trey Deveaux drives past York's Jake Erwin (5) and Ryan Seevers (23) for a first-half basket Jan. 19 in York.
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Due to the pandemic the pool deck is less crowded and swimmers, coaches and race staff are required to wear masks on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, during the Gene Cotter Invitational at Lincoln Northeast High School. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
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Austyn Sorensen releases some of her balloons at Nebraska State Capitol during the Walk for Life on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021. The annual Walk for Life was held in front of the state Capitol on Saturday. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
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Steve Woitaszewski make measurements as he scores a deer during Nebraska Deer and Game Expo, Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, at Lancaster Event Center. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Customers order their sandwiches from Colton Harpst and Chris Mathews during lunchtime at Danny's Downtown Deli on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
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Gov. Pete Ricketts (left) does an elbow bump with Sen. Steve Halloran during State of the State, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, Nebraska State Capitol. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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An order of Margaritas: the Sol y Luna (Blended house margarita with a touch of mango, strawberry, and kiwi syrup.), Husker Power and Freeman's (Homemade without a mix! Hornitos, Triple Sec and something else...) on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, at Mi México Lindo, located at 8222 Holdrege St. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
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Cindy Knippelmeyer (left) and her husband Tyson Knippelmeyer fish on the ice of Holmes Lake on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Lincoln Pius X's Charlie Hoiberg (right) drives to the basket for two points against Bellevue West's Preston Ames in the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021, at Bellevue West High School. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
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Construction of the new high school near Northwest 48th and West Holdrege streets continues, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Speaker Mike Hilgers (left) greets Sen. Lynne Walz after Walz was elected to be the chair of education committee during the first day of the 2021 legislative session, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Newly elected and re-elected senators, including Sen. Lou Ann Linehan (center), swear in during the first day of the 2021 legislative session, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Supporters of Pres. Donald J. Trump rally on the north side of the Nebraska State Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6 2021, during the first day of the Legislature. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
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Lincoln Southeast's Jake Appleget (24) drives to the basket against Lincoln North Star's Brennon Clemmons (right) and Jake Seip (bottom in the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 5 2021, at Lincoln Southeast High School. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
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A pedestrian crosses over a footbridge during their walk through Holmes Lake Park on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. A warm and sunny day brought out all kinds of creatures out of their dens. After last weeks heavy snow, High temperatures in the upper 40s were a welcome relief. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
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Judah Kirsch, 8, gets on a tube next to Phoebe the dog as he plays on a frozen pond at Pioneers Park, Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
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Wyatt Haertel performs a frontside ollie off a hip ramp at Tierra Skate Park on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
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