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More states are taking steps to approve gambling in an effort to close burgeoning budget gaps. Among the states are New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Missouri, South Carolina and Alabama.
A recap of the state politics is below.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Governor John Lynch is looking for ways to provide a much needed revenue injection for the Granite State. One way avenue he is considering is legalizing internet gambling, including online poker. Mr. Lynch expects to unveil his internet gambling plan within the week.
The state House is currently debating a bill that would permit up to 17,000 slot machines and table games at licensed locations throughout New Hampshire. Mr. Lynch has come out in opposition to the bill, which has already passed through the Senate, because it does nothing to halt the proliferation of gambling.
South Carolina
Under the new bill, certified not for profit organizations can use raffles to raise money, and social gambling, such as home poker games, will be permitted.
A House subcommittee on Tuesday advanced proposals to revise the state's 1802 antigambling laws. Read literally, they make any game with cards or dice illegal, including popular board games such as Monopoly and Sorry.
The legislation heading for the full House and Ways Committee would allow in-house social gambling and let charities raise money by selling raffle tickets. Residents would also get to vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to allow limited raffles.
Some opponents fear that if social gambling and charitable are legalized, then more forms of gambling will invade the state. In a time where tax revenues are nearly crippled in many state economies, new methods of generating revenue are being explored.
Massachusetts
The Bay State inched closer to flashing slot machines and whizzing roulette wheels this evening as House lawmakers overwhelmingly passed a bill legalizing two resort casinos and up to 3,000 slots.
The 120-to-37 vote gave House Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop) a veto-proof majority as his signature legislation heads before a tougher audience - Senate President Therese Murray and Governor Deval Patrick.
“This bill is about creating jobs. This bill is about creating opportunity,” said long time gaming proponent Rep. Martin J. Walsh (D-Dorchester). “We need to get people back to work in our Commonwealth.”
Opponents of expanded gambling said the costs far outweighed any possible economic benefit. Proponents see this as an economic stimulus bill - saying it will create 15-thousand new jobs and provide the state with 250 million dollars in licensing fees.
Alabama
Bingo legislation is on hold until next week. The Alabama House is putting the bill that would regulate gaming in the state off until the next to last day of the regular session.
Much anticipated bingo legislation didn't make it to the House floor. Legislators say they need more time to look over the details.
Marcel Black, (D) District 3, AL, says "The bingo bill came out of committee yesterday morning in talking with other members they wanted to be sure what was in that bill and what changes had been made and so I just thought it was appropriate to give us more time to do that."
The House needs 63 votes to pass the constitutional amendment. Marcel Black, the bill's sponsor, isn't certain there's enough support at this time.
Legislators say they plan to discuss the bill next Wednesday just before the session. How they vote will determine if the public gets a say in the bingo controversy in November.
Missouri
The Missouri House is moving to ban deadbeat parents from casinos in the state.
The early indications from the state House is that the bill requiring that parents who owe child support be banned from casinos will be passed. The first round of voting is complete, and now the Bill must pass a second vote before the Senate takes up the legislation.
The provision to ban deadbeat parents from casinos was added to HB1194. The original Bill would allow gamblers to use tokens to pay for their drinks and food at casinos. it is viewed as a way to make things easier for both the casinos and the gamblers.
The new legislation in Missouri would prohibit gamblers from even entering the casino if they have a felony conviction for not paying child support. A vote on the proposed bill should come either later this week or next week.
http://thestatecolumn.com/articles/0...tates_8384.php
A recap of the state politics is below.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Governor John Lynch is looking for ways to provide a much needed revenue injection for the Granite State. One way avenue he is considering is legalizing internet gambling, including online poker. Mr. Lynch expects to unveil his internet gambling plan within the week.
The state House is currently debating a bill that would permit up to 17,000 slot machines and table games at licensed locations throughout New Hampshire. Mr. Lynch has come out in opposition to the bill, which has already passed through the Senate, because it does nothing to halt the proliferation of gambling.
South Carolina
Under the new bill, certified not for profit organizations can use raffles to raise money, and social gambling, such as home poker games, will be permitted.
A House subcommittee on Tuesday advanced proposals to revise the state's 1802 antigambling laws. Read literally, they make any game with cards or dice illegal, including popular board games such as Monopoly and Sorry.
The legislation heading for the full House and Ways Committee would allow in-house social gambling and let charities raise money by selling raffle tickets. Residents would also get to vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to allow limited raffles.
Some opponents fear that if social gambling and charitable are legalized, then more forms of gambling will invade the state. In a time where tax revenues are nearly crippled in many state economies, new methods of generating revenue are being explored.
Massachusetts
The Bay State inched closer to flashing slot machines and whizzing roulette wheels this evening as House lawmakers overwhelmingly passed a bill legalizing two resort casinos and up to 3,000 slots.
The 120-to-37 vote gave House Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop) a veto-proof majority as his signature legislation heads before a tougher audience - Senate President Therese Murray and Governor Deval Patrick.
“This bill is about creating jobs. This bill is about creating opportunity,” said long time gaming proponent Rep. Martin J. Walsh (D-Dorchester). “We need to get people back to work in our Commonwealth.”
Opponents of expanded gambling said the costs far outweighed any possible economic benefit. Proponents see this as an economic stimulus bill - saying it will create 15-thousand new jobs and provide the state with 250 million dollars in licensing fees.
Alabama
Bingo legislation is on hold until next week. The Alabama House is putting the bill that would regulate gaming in the state off until the next to last day of the regular session.
Much anticipated bingo legislation didn't make it to the House floor. Legislators say they need more time to look over the details.
Marcel Black, (D) District 3, AL, says "The bingo bill came out of committee yesterday morning in talking with other members they wanted to be sure what was in that bill and what changes had been made and so I just thought it was appropriate to give us more time to do that."
The House needs 63 votes to pass the constitutional amendment. Marcel Black, the bill's sponsor, isn't certain there's enough support at this time.
Legislators say they plan to discuss the bill next Wednesday just before the session. How they vote will determine if the public gets a say in the bingo controversy in November.
Missouri
The Missouri House is moving to ban deadbeat parents from casinos in the state.
The early indications from the state House is that the bill requiring that parents who owe child support be banned from casinos will be passed. The first round of voting is complete, and now the Bill must pass a second vote before the Senate takes up the legislation.
The provision to ban deadbeat parents from casinos was added to HB1194. The original Bill would allow gamblers to use tokens to pay for their drinks and food at casinos. it is viewed as a way to make things easier for both the casinos and the gamblers.
The new legislation in Missouri would prohibit gamblers from even entering the casino if they have a felony conviction for not paying child support. A vote on the proposed bill should come either later this week or next week.
http://thestatecolumn.com/articles/0...tates_8384.php