Nebraska state Senator Tom Briese, formerly an opponent of expanded gaming, recently filed three bills that would expedite opening and regulating racinos, targeted for early 2022.
“For the last several years, on the floor of the legislature, I have opposed the expansion of casino gaming in our great state,” said Briese, chairman of the General Affairs Committee. “In November the voters spoke and they really delivered a mandate, and that mandate is that they want to see casinos at racetracks, and they want the property tax relief that that will provide.
“I believe this is legislation that respects the will of an overwhelming majority of the people while leaving in place reasonable restrictions to prevent some of the abuses we see in other states.” He said his responsibility as a lawmaker is to make sure the will of the voters is addressed quickly.
The proposed LB 560 would require wagers to be placed on-site by bettors at least age 21. It also would prohibit credit cards from being used to place bets. Operators who apply for a gaming license would be required to undergo a background check.
Briese’s LB 561 would combine the Nebraska Gaming Commission, established by the November ballot measure, with the state racing commission. “We felt that would be a more efficient use of state resources, and there’s going to be some efficiency involved in doing that,” Briese said.
Additionally, LB 365 would direct $225,000 from the General Fund to the Gaming Commission in order to hire experts and cover other related costs.
Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association Executive Vice President Lynne McNally said technology already is available to restrict betting at the casino to designated areas. “If this bill passes, we will be installing what’s called geofencing. So you could place bets within the racetrack enclosure itself, meaning our facility, but you would not be able to place a bet outside of the facility,” she said.
Pat Loontjer, executive director of the anti-gambling organization Gambling with the Good Life said the group appreciates Briese’s efforts to establish regulations before the new racinos have even opened. “He is trying to minimize the damage which is what we’re all about, as far as how it’s going to affect the public and businesses and youth and everything else,” she said.
