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Gambling Seen as Solution to Ailing Washington State21 February 2003WASHINGTON – As reported by the Olympian: "A proposed expansion of legalized gambling in Washington could raise $84 million for the cash-strapped state during the next two years, according to an estimate prepared for the House Commerce and Labor Committee. "Those rough figures are attached to House Bill 1948, an entertainment industry-backed bill that allows restaurants, bars and other establishments to operate the video gaming machines that currently are legal only in tribal casinos. "Under the proposal, the state would levy a 20 percent tax on proceeds from that gambling, with another 5 percent going to local governments. Supporters pitch it as a revenue source for lawmakers to tap as they work to erase the state's projected $2.4 billion budget shortfall in the next two years. "The legislation would allow about 18,000 new video gaming machines, matching the number allowed for tribal casinos. "…The state's Indian tribes strongly oppose the legislation, arguing it violates the state-tribal compacts that allow them to operate casinos. "The bill also faces plenty of opposition in the Legislature, though lawmakers concede that the revenue opportunities might be tempting in the final budget negotiations. "…The proposed gambling expansion also is gaining opposition from a group of prominent state residents, Citizens Against Gambling Expansion, led by former Gov. Booth Gardner and King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng. They aim to link gambling to all kinds of societal ills, from domestic violence to personal financial ruin…" |