Keep the Money in Nebraska has raised nearly $1 million and reached signature totals in several counties in its drive to place on the 2020 ballot a constitutional amendment allowing slots at horseracing tracks. Spokesman Scott Lautenbaugh, a former state senator, said, “We’re confident we’re going to make it.”
State records show as of March 26 the group has raised $904,167, with 97 percent of those funds, or $875,007, from Ho-Chunk Inc., the economic development wing of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.
The anti-gambling group, Gambling with the Good Life, has raised $12,500 in the past few months and reported $97,000 in the bank. The group’s director, Pat Loontjer, said, “We’re not throwing in the towel yet, but $1 million will buy you a lot of signatures.” Governor Pete Ricketts, a former board member, “already said he’d give money this time,” Loontjer said. She added Ho-Chunk is financing the petition drive so Indian tribes can open casinos in Omaha and Lincoln. “This is all because they want Indian casinos all over the state. They don’t have any interest in saving live horse racing. They know if they change the constitution, they could have unlimited Indian casinos in the state.”
In response, Ho-Chunk and Keep the Money in Nebraska officials said their purpose is to keep make sure Nebraskans spend in their own state the estimated $500 million a year they spend at casinos in other states.
Keep the Money in Nebraska started its petition drive last September. The group claims casino gambling could generate $120 million in additional revenue for the state and help save the state’s thoroughbred horseracing industry. Officials said slot machines only would be allowed at state-licensed racetracks in Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, Columbus and Hastings. In addition, Ho-Chunk Chief Executive Officer Lance Morgan said the Winnebago tribe would reopen the former Atokad racetrack it purchased in South Sioux City and start a casino there.
The pro-gambling group is circulating three petitions. One is a constitutional amendment to allow games of chance at licensed racetracks. The other two would establish the framework to regulate gambling and distribute tax revenue. Keep the Money in Nebraska is proposing a 20 percent tax on gross gambling revenues, with 75 percent going to the state and 25 percent to casino host communities.
Keep the Money In Nebraska must submit valid signatures from 10 percent of registered voters, or about 113,900 people, by July 7 to qualify for the November ballot. Also, The group also must collect signatures from at least 5 percent of registered voters in a minimum of 38 counties. Last fall, the legislature changed laws regarding petition signature collection. Now circulators can be paid per signature, instead of hourly, giving them more incentive to collect more signatures.
Morgan said Ho-Chunk was willing to spend “what it takes to win” approval for racinos this year. Previously the Winnebago and Omaha tribes operated the only casinos in the region. Then, he said, casinos opened in Council Bluffs and later in Sioux City, Iowa, cannibalizing tribal profits. “This is an opportunity to go the other direction. Obviously, it’s an expensive gamble because it may not win.” However, he noted, “Everyone I talk to thinks it’s time” to allow casino gambling in Nebraska.
