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Washington Looks to Cash in on Gambling

WASHINGTON – As reported by the (Tacoma, Washington) News Tribune: "With the state expected to face a budget shortfall of up to $800 million in 2005-2006, Olympia continues to look at ways to cash in on gambling.

"A task force is putting together a report on how much the state could make from various gambling-related options. The group is focusing on potential revenues from expanding the Washington State Lottery's keno game, allowing and taxing new video lottery terminals in bars and restaurants like those in Oregon, taxing existing games at minicasinos or hammering out a revenue-sharing pact with Indian tribes.

"…Its findings could set the stage for another heated gambling debate. That's the prediction of representatives from many of the groups that stand to gain or lose depending on the outcome of the debate, including gambling opponents, the state's Indian tribes and nontribal gambling businesses.

"…Tribal gaming operations, which already have thousands of electronic slot machines, brought in $700 million in revenue last year. That compares to $440 million brought in by nontribal gaming operators, including those running house-banked card rooms, punch boards and pull tabs and bingo games, according to the Washington State Gambling Commission.

"…The idea behind revenue-sharing pacts is that tribes agree to contribute a percentage of their gaming revenues, often in exchange for a pledge that the states will block nontribal businesses from setting up competing gambling businesses…"

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