Nebraska looks to be losing the prospect of relaxed gambling restrictions this year, despite claims that the state could preserve jobs and tap the millions of dollars that are lost over borders in Iowa and South Dakota casinos.
A report by Boston.com reveals that lawmakers have killed bills this year to let gambling outlets run more keno games per hour. Not only that, but a proposed bill that could have led to casino gambling near the Iowa border also died in committee.
Columbus Sen. Paul Schumacher says gambling opponents have pressured lawmakers into defeating many of the proposals at a time when the state is desperate for the revenue.
Council members in Michigan’s Lansing City will decide today to approve proposals to bring a casino to the downtown area.
The project, which is a partnership with the Sault Ste. Marie tribe of the Chippewa Indians – who will own and operate the facility – is stated to cost $245 million dollars and create 1,500 permanent jobs..
WLNS reports that the council will decide if they agree on selling city land to the tribe, giving the developer a $20 million tax break, and details on building a parking ramp.
It looks promising, as it was only last week that the city’s development and planning committee approved a number of proposals to move the project forward. Part of its revenue is expected to fund college scholarships for Lansing-area high school students.
However, if the council approves the casino proposal Monday, the project still has many legal hurdles to overcome including approval from the federal government to build it on non-tribal land.
An agreement on new casino gambling laws in Massachusetts could be reached within days, if all goes to plan. A report by Associated Press states that Gov. Deval Patrick, state Treasurer Steven Grossman and Attorney General Martha Coakley have until this coming Wednesday to jointly fill the two remaining spots on a five-member commission to oversee gaming in the state.
A 21 March deadline was set by the law for completing the panel, with state leaders agreeing to reach a decision by that time.
