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Colorado Lottery Terminal Vote Generates Controversy

COLORADO – As reported by the Associated Press: "It is alternatively portrayed as a way to revive Colorado's stagnant economy by increasing tourism promotion and painted as a boondoggle to give a British company a near-monopoly on gambling along the state's Front Range.

"For voters watching the record-setting ad blitz for Amendment 33, it would be easy to believe that the sides are talking about separate initiatives.

"The measure on Tuesday's ballot would allow the installation of up to 2,500 video lottery terminals at five horse and greyhound racetracks along the Front Range.

"It would dedicate $25 million of the proceeds to promoting Colorado as a tourism destination. Other proceeds would go to state and local parks and recreation and to emergency renovation projects at public schools.

"The campaigns for and against Amendment 33 have shattered finance records, spending $9.4 million through Oct. 27.

"In one of the state's most hotly contested initiative campaigns, each side has accused the other of lying to voters.

"…Proponents are funded largely by British-owned Wembley USA Inc., which owns four of the five racetracks. They argue that the placement of video lottery terminals would be strictly controlled and that the state sorely needs the visitors -- and their spending -- which intensive tourism promotion could bring.

"…Lois Rice, executive director of the Colorado Gaming Association, acknowledged that casinos would like to avoid increased competition.

"…Political analysts said voters are likely to reject the measure, not only because of past reluctance to expanding gambling, but also because of publicity surrounding the recent indictments of two Wembley executives in a bribery case involving video lottery terminals at Lincoln Park in Rhode Island…"

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