Gaming updates clear first round

Lawmakers amended and advanced a bill from general file Feb. 9 that would make a series of changes to the state’s racetrack gaming industry.

LB1001, introduced by the General Affairs Committee at the request of the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission, would update laws governing racetrack operations, wagering distribution, horse registration, simulcasting and problem gambling oversight.

Among other provisions, the bill would:
• allow racetracks to petition the commission for waivers or modifications of minimum race requirements under specific circumstances;
• mandate timely registration of Nebraska-bred thoroughbreds and quarter horses;
• update racetrack licensing and simulcasting regulations;
• transfer oversight and funding of the Nebraska Commission on Problem Gaming from the state Department of Revenue to the Racing and Gaming Commission;
• authorize gaming tax proceeds to support problem gambling programs; and
• allow 19-year-olds to participate in keno at licensed racetrack enclosures in an area separate from the casino gaming floor.

A committee amendment would limit the commission’s authority to waive or modify race requirements to only cases in which a racetrack is unable to conduct the required number of live racing days due to “natural events” beyond its control or conditions that make the track unsuitable for racing.

The amendment also would remove a 30-day residency exception for certain mares and instead allow the residency requirement to be waived, and would provide for a waiver from the 90-day requirement that a dam be in Nebraska continuously prior to foaling.

Bellevue Sen. Rick Holdcroft, committee chairperson, said the measure would modernize Nebraska laws governing a number of aspects of racetrack operations in the state and includes funding for problem gambling programs.

“LB1001 improves problem gambling oversight by … adding annual gaming tax proceeds as a funding source for treatment and prevention programs,” he said.

The committee amendment also adds provisions of two additional bills, LB828 and LB1047.

LB828, originally introduced by Niobrara Sen. Barry DeKay, would broaden the definition of “operator” in laws governing gift enterprises and savings promotion raffles.

DeKay said Nebraska is one of only two states that prohibit nonprofits from operating gift enterprises, also known as sweepstakes, and that the amendment would allow such entities to use gift enterprises as a fundraising tool.

LB1047, sponsored by Holdcroft, would expand the Nebraska Bingo Act to include music bingo, in which winning outcomes are based on song titles, musical artists or music genres. It also would increase the amount that can be charged for each bingo card from 25 cents to $1 and the maximum prize amount that a licensed organization may award from $25 to $50 per game.

Music bingo could be conducted only under a special event bingo permit and the amendment would increase from two to four the number of special event bingo permits a qualifying nonprofit could obtain annually.

Following adoption of the committee amendment on a 34-0 vote, lawmakers advanced LB1001 to select file 37-0.