Now there are solely two: On November 5, voters in Tennessee amended the State Structure to create a state lottery, leaving Hawaii and Utah as the one states with out some type of authorized playing.
Throughout the nation, the election confirmed voters have gotten extra comfy with authorized playing. Extra pro-gambling candidates for main workplace gained than at every other time in historical past, and proposals to resume or usher in gaming triumphed.
The November voting can be remembered as one of many few instances that the get together in energy within the White Home additionally gained management of each homes of Congress in a midterm election. However the greatest winner might have been the gaming business, which can see renewed progress in racinos, state lotteries and tribal casinos.
Federal: Republicans took over the U.S. Senate. Trent Lott (R.-Miss.), who would have been Majority Chief, self-destructed, so Invoice Frist (R.-Tenn.) will substitute Tom Daschle (D.-S.D.). That is dangerous information for casinos, which have change into a serious monetary and political energy in Mississippi; Tennessee has no authorized playing, though it simply voted in a lottery. Nevada Democrat Harry Reid can be changed by Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell as assistant majority chief. This clearly helps horseracing whereas hurting casinos. John McCain (Az.-R) will change into chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, which is dangerous information for authorized sports activities betting. Indian gaming misplaced a buddy with the departure of Daniel Inouye (Hello.-D) as Chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee, however gained a fair larger supporter in Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Co.-R), the one Native American member of the U.S. Senate. General, casinos and state lotteries will in all probability lose just a little affect in Washington, D.C., whereas horseracing will acquire rather a lot.
Authorized playing is generally a state, not federal, subject. Governors virtually at all times have the political energy to dam any enlargement, and often can swing the state legislature in favor of enlargement.
Alabama: Gov. Don Siegelman (D.) misplaced reelection by a squeaker. He supported making a state lottery for training; his opponent, Bob Riley (R.), a staunch conservative, opposes authorized playing. 4 years in the past Siegelman ousted incumbent Gov. Fob James, Jr. (R.), on the lottery subject, however conservative spiritual teams from all around the nation converged on Alabama and defeated the proposed constitutional modification in Oct. 1999. The Home is contemplating a invoice to amend the State Structure to permit lotteries; the actual aim is six casinos to compete in opposition to tribal gaming. The floundering canine tracks gained simulcasting by way of the State Legislature, however to this point haven’t been in a position to get slot machines.
Arizona: Prop. 202, sponsored by Gov. Jane Hull and 17 gaming tribes, gained 51.6% to 48.2%; competing proposals from the tracks and the Colorado River Indian Tribes had been soundly defeated in the costliest marketing campaign within the state’s historical past. Janet Napolitano (D.), who supported Prop. 202, can be governor, defeating anti-gambling Matt Salmon (R.). Lawsuits, will, in fact, proceed, however the tracks have misplaced some political affect. Arizona’s on line casino gaming will look very similar to in the present day’s, solely larger: as much as 29 casinos, 998 slot machines per tribe with a statewide cap of 15,675, 100 blackjack and poker tables per on line casino, $25 slots, $500 blackjack, $75/$150 poker, non-gaming tribes might switch their slot allotments. Voters permitted extending the state lottery, once more.
Arkansas: Staunch anti-gambling Gov. Mike Huckabee (R.) was reelected, 52%-48%. The Lawyer Common has permitted a proposal to amend the State Structure to permit a State Lottery and casinos in 9 counties, however a court docket problem stays. On Nov. 7, 2000, voters defeated, 65% to 35%, as a result of state’s lively spiritual organizations and opposition from Mississippi’s casinos, the latest initiative for widespread casinos, charity raffles and bingo, and a State Lottery. Comparable competing constitutional amendments had been tried in 1990, 1994, 1996 and 1999.
California: Gov. Grey Davis spent $68 million and nonetheless couldn’t get a majority of the vote, and solely edged out his Republican opponent. Davis’ embarrassment is a good alternative for California’s tribes. He’ll depend on the political knowledge that voters have quick recollections, and can run for President. The state finances is at the very least $34 billion within the purple. Davis is renegotiating tribal compacts. If the tribes provide some small share to the state, say 7% of their on line casino win, and provides Davis giant marketing campaign contributions, he’ll give them something they need.
Colorado: Incumbent Gov. Invoice Owen (R.) trounced his opponents. He favors the established order on gaming and lotteries. The Nov. 2003 poll may have a proposed initiative for racinos.
Connecticut: Incumbent Gov. John G. Rowland (R.) gained, which means continued luke-warm assist for gaming. Gov. Rowland and Legislature imagine, incorrectly, that they are going to forestall extra Indian casinos by repealing the charity Las Vegas night time regulation and easily refusing to barter any new compacts.
Florida: Reelected Gov. Jeb Bush (R.) will proceed his opposition to the enlargement of playing .Senate President Jim King is pushing for VLTs on the state’s 32 horse tracks, canine tracks and jai alai frontons, however Home Speaker Johnnie Byrd and Gov. Bush are opposed.
Georgia: Sonny Perdue (R.) beat incumbent Gov. Roy Barnes (D.) in a no-win race for authorized playing: they each opposed video poker and Indian gaming; Perdue will not be a fan of the state’s enormously profitable state lottery.
Idaho: A victory for Indian gaming: Voters permitted, 58%-42%, letting tribes have 3,000 Video Lottery Terminals. Courts will resolve whether or not VLTs are prohibited by the State Structure’s ban on slot machines. However, incumbent Gov. Dirk Kempthorne (R.) beat Jerry Brady (D.), who was extra in favor of tribal casinos.
Illinois: Rod Blagojevich (D.) beat Jim Ryan (R.), and Democrats additionally took management of each homes. The 2 gubernatorial candidates opposed the proposal for a on line casino in Rosemont. Blagojevich permitted the best on line casino tax within the nation: 50%, and he desires to push it to 70% and even have the state personal the casinos. The Legislature is pushing for a decrease tax, extra gaming positions and licenses, and racinos, and Mayor Richard Daley need Chicago to be the primary metropolis to personal a on line casino, however Blagojevich says he’ll veto any finances that features an enlargement of playing. be extra on line casino licenses issued possibly even in Chicago. In the meantime on line casino initiatives are being canceled.
Indiana: No modifications within the Legislature, which suggests the brand new excessive tax price on riverboat casinos will keep.
Iowa: One other large win for gaming. By a landslide, voters opted to maintain casinos and racinos for eight extra years, in all 11 counties that had the difficulty on the poll. Congressman Jim Leach, certainly one of Web playing’s main foes, was reelected with solely 52%.
Kansas: Kathleen Sebelius (D.), who would enable racinos, defeated anti-gambling Tim Shallenburg (R.). Payments to increase gaming have been launched, from slots at tracks and Lottery retailers to a on line casino at Dodge Metropolis’s Boot Hill Museum. The Legislature in all probability gained’t move any, although the Senate virtually permitted permitting full casinos in all 105 counties.
Kentucky: The Legislature stays cut up, with Republicans controlling the Senate and Democrats the Home. This has to this point stymied Gov. Patton’s less-than-whole-hearted push for casinos or racinos.
Louisiana: We have no idea if the voters of Cameron Parish desire a riverboat on line casino; courts blocked the poll referendum. No main modifications within the Legislature, which has agreed to a moratorium till one other financial examine is accomplished.
Maine: The cities of Fairfield, Sanford and Princeton permitted casinos in nonbinding elections, however 13 different cities have taken motion in opposition to casinos since Spring 2002, based on MaineToday.com (11/7/2002). Each candidates for governor say they oppose casinos, however John Baldacci (D.), can be not almost as anti- as outgoing Gov. Angus King. The Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Nation are gathering signatures, however their on line casino won’t ever move within the current political environment.
Maryland: A significant victory for racinos. Rep. Robert Erlich Jr., (R.), elected governor, desires to place gaming gadgets at racetracks to compete with close by Delaware’s and to minimize the finances deficit. He defeated Kathleen Kennedy Townsend (D.), and replaces Gov. Parris N. Glendening, each against authorized playing. The Legislature is already speaking about placing it on the poll in 2003 or 2004.
Massachusetts: Mitt Romney (R.), the subsequent governor, helps placing gaming gadgets at racetracks to assist steadiness the finances. Holyoke voted 59% – 41% in a non-binding referendum to assist bringing a on line casino to the city.
Michigan: Jennifer Granholm (D.) edged out Dick Posthumus (R.) for governor, however neither was in favor of expanded playing. The Home has permitted turning the state’s seven tracks into racinos. In Nov. 1996, voters permitted three casinos for Detroit, regardless of the robust opposition of then-Gov. John Engler – the primary time in American historical past that residents of a state voted to permit new high-stakes industrial casinos within the face of lively opposition.
Minnesota: The U.S. Senate race between the Norm Coleman (R.) and former Vice-President Walter F. Mondale attracted worldwide consideration. Little observed was one other Republican victory, Tim Pawlenty gained the gubernatorial race with solely 44%. Neither profitable candidates spoke out publicly about authorized playing. The Legislature is contemplating proposals to legalize sports activities betting (in violation of federal regulation), enable slots in bars, and open state-owned casinos, together with one for the Minneapolis-St. Paul Worldwide Airport, restricted to airline passengers, and one other to have a state-tribe on line casino St. Paul. The primary state-licensed card membership opened April 19, 2000 at Canterbury Park in Shakopee and a Home committee permitted turning it right into a full on line casino
Missouri: State Republicans, who haven’t proven any curiosity in any form of giant tax improve, took management of the state Home for the primary time in almost 50 years. Add this to the Missouri Gaming Fee’s criticism of the economics of Illinois’s new 50% tax on giant on line casino investments and it seems to be like Missouri’s riverboat casinos are secure for some time. The Legislature would in all probability go together with lifting the $500 loss restrict if the casinos agreed to a small tax improve, however no change to this point.
Montana: A proposal by Butte legislators, “Vacation spot Montana,” to create a “music and leisure district,” with 10 or 11 casinos, is of course getting assist from the state’s 5 tribes. Beneath the current plan, the tribes would co-own just one on line casino, which could not arise in court docket. Bucking a nationwide development, the Legislature determined to not elevate taxes on video poker and keno machines, that are greater than 90% of the state’s authorized playing.
Nebraska: A loss for authorized gaming. Professional-gambling incumbent Stormy Dean (D.) was worn out within the gubernatorial race by anti Mike Johanns (R.), who would enable solely a small variety of extra casinos at most, and no extra slots. However payments for Indian and personal casinos have been launched and are gathering assist, many specializing in competing with casinos in Iowa.
Nevada: It’s generally mentioned, “The issue with political jokes is they generally get elected.” However often they don’t. Joe Neal (D.) ran on a platform of elevating on line casino taxes – in Nevada! He bought 22%, however did beat “Not one of the above.” Voters additionally overwhelmingly rejected a constitutional modification, which might have prevented anybody possessing as much as three ounces of marijuana from being prosecuted; pot use for medicinal functions is already allowed. The marijuana backers mentioned they purposely selected Nevada. The state’s custom of freedom, together with authorized playing and prostitution, comes from its historical past on the western frontier. It isn’t a politically liberal state.
New Hampshire: Outgoing Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D.), who supported utilizing slots to boost cash, is not going to be going to the U.S. Senate, crushed by former Presidential speech-writer John Sununu (R.). The Legislature, which blocked Shaheen’s push for racinos, didn’t change. Each candidates for governor oppose authorized playing; Craig Benson (R.) gained.
New Jersey: Atlantic Metropolis casinos misplaced a powerful voice within the U.S. Home of Representatives when Robert G. Torricelli (D.) stop to make a disastrous run for the U.S. Senate. One other Democrat, Frank R. Lautenberg, did win that race, however will in all probability not be as actively in opposition to Indian and Web gaming as Torricelli was. Casinos face a possible double hit: Gov. James E. McGreevey has mentioned he desires on line casino taxes raised from 8% to 10%, a 6% gross sales tax on comps, 7% resort tax and is once more threatening racinos, to resolve the finances drawback. Racinos and VLTs gained’t occur – casinos’ political energy is far larger than the State Lottery and tracks’.
New Mexico: Tribes misplaced a buddy with the retirement of Gov. Gary Johnson. Invoice Richardson (D.), helps the established order on Indian casinos, however would endorse one other racetrack with slots, if the voters approve.
New York: One other large win for authorized playing. Incumbent Gov. George Pataki (R.), an advocate of increasing Indian gaming and establishing racinos, beat Carl McCall (D.), who known as for a on line casino moratorium.
North Dakota: A symbolic breakthrough for state lotteries. North Dakota voters in 1986 joined solely three different states this century in not approving a state lottery. In November 2002 they modified their thoughts, voting in a state lottery with the appropriate to affix multi-state video games, like PowerBall.
Ohio: Incumbent Gov. Bob Taft (R.), simply reelected, opposes slots at tracks, phone account wagering and different proposed expansions of playing. However the Legislature might put it on the poll anyway, as a proposed Constitutional modification.
Oklahoma: Brad Henry (D.) squeaked by anti-gambling former NFL participant Steve Largent to be the subsequent governor. Gov. Henry desires the voters to resolve if the state ought to have a lottery, however the Legislature might not move the referendum. He’s additionally in secret compact negotiations. The Legislature didn’t act, so voters made it a felony to have interaction in any exercise related to cockfighting.
Oregon: Ted Kulongaski (D.), who resigned from the state Supreme Courtroom to run for governor, in all probability is aware of extra concerning the legal guidelines and realities of authorized playing than every other state chief govt. As Lawyer Common, he headed the Governor’s Job Power to review playing in Oregon. He invited me to be the lead witness. I discovered him to be educated and unbiased, decided to listen to all sides of the difficulty earlier than reaching conclusions.
Pennsylvania: One other large victory, which reveals how far authorized playing has come. Fifty years in the past, being related to any type of playing, authorized or not, was the kiss of loss of life for a candidate. This 12 months, each candidates for governor supported the concept of racinos. Ed Rendell (D.), gained by a landslide and instantly introduced that his prime precedence is to decrease property taxes by permitting slot machines on the state’s 5 racetracks. In an attention-grabbing twist, an “anti” has proposed auctioning slot licenses to anybody, which might usher in extra money however kill off observe assist for enlargement.
Rhode Island: Donald L. Carcieri (R.) was elected governor, with out taking a powerful public place on gaming. The State Home of Representatives created a Particular Fee to Research Gaming which should maintain at the very least one listening to in every county and report again by April 1, 2003. This might delay a statewide vote on the new subject of a on line casino for the Narragansett Tribe, needed additionally by the impoverished group of West Warwick, till Fall 2004.
South Carolina: In 1998, Jim Hodges (D.) beat incumbent Gov. David Beasley (R.) by not opposing video poker and by supporting a state lottery, which the voters then licensed in Nov. 2000. In 2002 Hodges misplaced to Mark Sanford (R.), who had opposed the state lottery.
South Dakota: Mike Rounds (R.) gained the governor’s race; he’s principally in favor of the established order. Native People throughout the nation campaigned for Lawyer Common candidate Ron Volesky (D.), a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, however he misplaced to Larry Lengthy (R.).
Tennessee: A really large win. Tennessee has had playing; charity bingo was closed down in scandal and parimutuel betting was licensed, however no observe was constructed. Now that the voters have amended the State Structure permitting a state lottery, the Legislature must go alongside, particularly for the reason that new governor, Phil Bredesen (D.) helps the lottery. This implies 48 states and all territories of the U.S. will now have some type of industrial playing.
Texas: Incumbent Rick Perry (R.), an opponent of all playing, particularly Indian casinos, was reelected, beating pro-gaming Tony Sanchez (D.). John Cornyn (R.), a crusading A.G. in opposition to Web playing, goes to the U.S. Senate.
Vermont: Jim Douglas (R.), had not taken a powerful place publicly on playing, was elected governor. He now says he’s against any enlargement.
Washington: Payments have been launched to permit slots in bars, eating places, card rooms, bowling alleys, bingo parlors, in fact, race tracks, to compete in opposition to the 20 tribes with casinos. Voters turned down proposals for tribal slots in 1995 and 1996. However the tribes now have 18,900 slot-like VLTs, in addition to linked bingo machines. In an try and stage the taking part in area, the Legislature allowed privately owned cardrooms to have house-banked blackjack. There at the moment are greater than 40 mini-casinos. The State Playing Fee is debating rising betting limits whereas Gov. Locke helps payments to restrict their progress and some cities are contemplating bans.
West Virginia: State regulation permits casinos in historic resorts, restricted to registered company. The catch – native voters need to approve. Greenbrier rejected the concept in 2000; Huntington voters did the identical in 2002.
Wisconsin: A statewide win for Indian gaming. Jim Doyle (D.), who favors enlargement, defeated an anti, Scott McCallum (R.). However in Wausau, voters turned down a proposal for a on line casino to be owned by the Ho-Chunk tribe by a margin of two-to-one.
Wyoming: Dave Freudenthal (D.) is the brand new governor; he has not taken a powerful public place on playing, however he signed into regulation a invoice permitting at-home betting on horse races; 5 extra pro-gambling payments had been launched within the Jan. 2003 session.
