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No Shortage of Gambling in Nebraksa

NEBRASKA – As reported by the Omaha World-Herald: "In the soft neon glow of a Papillion keno parlor, Orr and Diane Moore play $2 keno games and share a pitcher of beer with a friend after work.

"Down the road, at Horsemen's Park in Omaha, Richard Pietryga places $2 and $5 bets on horse races being telecast from California, West Virginia and Iowa.

"…As the casino gambling debate echoes across Nebraska, the Moores and Pietryga illustrate a key argument of casino gambling proponents: Gambling already exists in Nebraska.

"In a year, more than $450 million is wagered on keno, pickle cards, bingo games, horse races, lotteries and raffle tickets, according to state agency reports.

"…Horse racing was legalized in Nebraska in a 1934 vote. Since then, voters and legislators slowly have added other forms of gambling, including keno in 1989 and lottery in 1992.

"Ed Morse, an associate dean at Creighton University School of Law and a gambling researcher, said a cultural shift has occurred in how gambling is viewed in Nebraska and across the nation.

"A stigma once was associated with professional gambling. Now many view it simply as entertainment, akin to going to the movies or a restaurant, Morse said…"

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