All gambling proposals are ill-advised

Beware, Nebraska voters! Don't be fooled by Initiatives 417, 418, 419 and 420, the Initiative Petition proposals which are attempting to bring legalized gambling to Nebraska.

The trouble with the proposals is that they are not written for the benefit of the citizens or the state. Rather, through convoluted language and contrived rules, they attempt to serve special interest organizations such as large casinos, vending machine suppliers and keno operations.

That's the fatal flaw of the initiative gambling proposals. They are self-serving for a select few groups. For proof, you need look no further than the fourth part of proposed Initiative Petition 419. It stipulates, and we quote, that the measure "establishes a $100 annual gaming license fee on each operator per permitted location."

That's ridiculous. For gambling businesses which could generate immense profits, the annual license fee would be $100. That would be an absolute rip-off, depriving the state of many potential dollars of income. On the basis of that stipulation alone, the initiative petitions should be defeated.

Another problem with the Initiatives 417 through 420 is that they would take control out of the hands of the Nebraska Legislature and place gambling under the control of a five-member Nebraska Gaming Commission appointed by the governor. The danger is that control would be taken away from an elected group, and put with an appointed group, opening the way for possible special interest control.

Even for those who favor gambling, Initiatives 417 through 420 are a poor deal. They should be defeated.

Amendment 3 poses a different kind of problem. Put on the ballot by members of the Nebraska Legislature, the plan is clear-cut and to the point. It proposes, simply, that the Legislature be allowed to authorize, regulate and tax "no more than two casino locations." The trouble with the plan is that it leaves much of Nebraska in the lurch. If casinos are placed in the state's most heavily populated regions, outstate areas would be almost as far away from places to gamble as they are now.

Also, more than likely, the Legislature's plan would open the door to more casinos, as Native Americans could rightfully argue they should have equal opportunity to establish casinos. The gambling proposals offered for this year's elections in Nebraska are ill-advised. They should be defeated.