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Wisconsin Lawmakers Consider Expanded Gambling12 May 2003WISCONSIN – As reported by the Wisconsin Rapids: "A proposal to legalize video gaming in Wisconsin taverns would be a big boost to the state and to local businesses, supporters say. "The state Senate and Assembly are considering proposals that would allow taverns to have up to five video gambling machines. The provisions could be included in the Legislature's version of the state budget. "…The current Senate proposal would split gaming profits evenly between the state and the retailer, said Sen. Dave Zien, R-Eau Claire, the Senate bill's author, who isn't sure if there's enough support for the bill to pass it. Zien, however, plans to introduce an amendment that would give the state only 25 percent of the money raised by the machines. "Bouton said he would support the provision even if it meant giving half the profits to the state. "…Legalized gambling likely would bring revenue and customers into the taverns, said Gregg Thurman, bartender at Elbow Room Bar in Stevens Point. "There are 20,000 to 25,000 video gaming machines in the state already, and legalizing video gaming would raise about $300 million if the state took half the profits, Zien said. "…Nettie Kingsley, a member of the Ho-Chunk nation, and former manager of Rainbow Casino & Bingo in Nekoosa, said she doesn't think video gambling machines would draw people from the casinos…" |