Minnesota Lawmakers Propose Slot Gambling For Racetracks
February 26, 2010
Slot gambling proposals have become commonplace in state governments around the US in the past couple of years. The latest proposal comes from two lawmakers in Minnesota that would like to add slots to Minnesota racetracks.
The horse racing industry has been one of the industries that has been hit the hardest during the economic recession. With other forms of gambling popping up all across the country, the racing industry has been losing attendance.
Representative Al Juhnke and Senator Dan Sparks have introduced legislation that they hope will save two horse tracks in Minnesota from financial disaster. The proposal is for slots at the tracks, and both lawmakers are hoping this legislation helps the racing industry out of its "funk." It is estimated that $125 million a year in tax revenue would be generated from the slots
This may be a tough sell to some other lawmakers. Even though the economy could use an infusion of revenue, legislators are not known to pass such ground breaking laws on their first time through the Capitol.
Governor Tim Pawlenty does not believe the proposed legislation will be approved this session, but that does not mean that it will be dead forever. Other states have had proposals floated for several years before laws were changed.
In Ohio, voters rejected casinos several times over the past decade. This past November, however, voters approved a plan for four casinos in the state. The guarantee of employment opportunities at a time of high unemployment rates were enough to sway Ohioans. |
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