In Nebraska, a petition drive is set to begin, allowing casino gambling at state-licensed horseracing tracks in Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, Columbus, South Sioux City and possibly Hastings. Lance Morgan, president and chief executive officer at Ho-Chunk, the economic development arm of the Winnebago Tribe, said Ho-Chunk and the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association have been refining the three petitions’ language to avoid legal challenges.
The petitions were filed with the Secretary of State’s Office earlier this month. One proposes a constitutional amendment allowing “all forms of games of chance” at state-licensed racetracks, as long as the games are regulated by laws passed at the same time as the amendment.
The second petition proposes a state law regulating expanded gambling at racetracks; it defines games of chance to include slot machines, table games, counter games and card games and establishes a Nebraska Gaming Commission. The third petition proposes a law to collect and distribute casino revenue tax, with 70 percent going to the state’s Property Tax Credit Fund and a portion to the host city or county and the state’s Compulsive Gamblers’ Assistance Fund.
Morgan said he hopes the issues can be placed on the November 2020 ballot. That requires gathering valid signatures from 120,000 people, or 10 percent of registered voters, for the proposed constitutional amendment, and 84,300 signatures, or 7 percent of registered voters, for the other two.
Morgan said recent polls indicate growing support for expanded gambling in Nebraska, especially if revenue is used for property tax relief.
A similar petition drive in 2016 fell short of the number of signatures required to make the ballot. Ho-Chunk sued the Omaha polling and campaign management company that was contracted to collect signatures.
Morgan said having three petitions was—and remains—a challenge, but they are required if voters want expanded gambling. “It’s not ideal. It adds time, expense and annoyance. I wish the Legislature would pass something, but they won’t,” he said.
