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Election Results Show Anti-Gaming Bent

Gaming Referendum Results
November 5, 1996

Voters in 13 states were asked to consider various state and local gaming referenda. Pro-gaming initiatives passed on the state level in Arizona and Michigan, while local option votes succeeded in Louisiana and West Virginia. The following is a state by state synopsis gleaned from information provided by the American Gaming Assn. (AGA) as well as reports from a variety of news services such as the Associated Press.

Arkansas: Amendment 4 failed 69% to 39%. It would have allowed a local option vote for up to 6 casinos and it turned down a state lottery and legalization of charitable bingo.

Arizona: Proposition 201 was successful. The state will now be required to negotiate gaming compacts with any Arizona tribe which is seeking one. In Arizona, 16 Indian tribes have agreements with the state that allow limited casino gambling. Gov. Fife Symington has refused to sign any more, but voters decided Tuesday that he must sign those compacts with any of the five remaining tribes that ask for them.

Colorado: Amendment 18 was defeated statewide. The proposal would expand limited-stakes casino gaming into historic town of Trinidad, after additional approval by local vote.

Indiana: Voters in Marion County rejected a proposed horse racing track.

Iowa: Did not pass. Voters in Dallas County were asked to approve casino gaming within the county.

Louisiana: Local contests in Louisiana were the nation's only attempts to repeal gambling by ballot Tuesday. The six parishes with the state's 14 riverboat casinos voted to keep them, while 23 parishes decided to invite them in for the first time.

But 14 parishes voted to keep them out. And gambling opponents found another reason to cheer, as 34 of the state's 64 parishes voted to kick out video poker. The 30 other parishes voted to retain the game.

• Land-based casino: Approved 67% to 33% by Orleans Parish voters.
• Riverboat casinos: Every current riverboat was approved by its parish, and 23 additional parishes voted to approve riverboat gaming if they want to offer it in the future.
• Video Poker: Rejected in 34 out of 64 parishes and will be phased out by July 1999.

Michigan: Proposal E narrowly passed statewide. Up to 3 casinos will be legalized in Detroit, with an 18% tax rate split between the Detroit school system and the city. Supporters included Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer. In addition, Michigan rejected a ban on bingo for political fund raisers.

Mississippi: DeSoto County residents again rejected riverboats 59% to 40%.

Nebraska: Amendment 1 was defeated. The proposal would have allowed for off-track betting with legislative approval.

Ohio: Gambling opponents in Ohio, including Gov. George Voinovich, prevailed as state voters rejected a proposal to put riverboat casinos in four counties. Voinovich said he hoped the vote would convince gambling supporters that "the people of Ohio don't want casino gambling -- not yesterday, not today, not ever." It was rejected 62% to 38%. A total of 8 riverboats would have been legalized.

Virginia: The city of Manassas Park voted 52% to 48% to reject a proposed off-track betting parlor.

Washington: Initiative 671 failed . It would have allowed 19 tribes to each operate a total 495 slots.

West Virginia: 64% of Jefferson County voters authorized up to 1000 video lottery terminals at the Charles Town racetrack.

*All results as of 11:30 a.m. November 6.

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