Slot idea stinks

Dear Editor,

Unless it's shot down by a court challenge, it appears Nebraskans will be voting on legalizing electronic gambling machines.

A very good analysis of the proposed amendment was written by Henry J. Cordes in Sunday's World-Herald. He notes that passage of this proposition does more than simply allow slot machines in businesses with liquor licenses.

It also:

1. Sets up a whole new bureaucracy by establishing a new state agency to regulate the machines, complete with a newly elected state gambling commission. This agency would be completely independent of the governor.

2. The amendment defines who can get into the lucrative business of slot machines. Guess what? The current keno operators, who put some $200,000 into the petition drive are assured they will meet the test. Talk about catering to special interests.

3. The idea that the slot machines would bring great benefits to cities and counties is a figment of the proponents' imagination, or worse.

After federal taxes and set-asides for future jackpots, half of the money (read that "loser's money") goes to the for-profit operators.

Their expenses would come out of that half, and the rest is profit.

The other half goes to cities and counties. But out of their half, cities and counties would have to fund the new state bureaucracy and pay other regulatory costs.

Guess how much will be left after the agency, which is not subject to gubernatorial oversight, computes its "expenses." Quite frankly, the whole thing stinks. I cannot envision anything as important as our state constitution being cluttered by such an unimportant subject as gambling.

Jack Rogers

McCook