Opinion: 'Bingo' machines illegal in Nebraska

Monday, December 18, 2006

"The federal government has been very slow to undo the opinion of a minor bureaucrat in the National Indian Gaming Commission who declared in 2003 that calling slot machines �bingo� made them allowable as �class II gambling devices� for tribes. We applaud Gov. Dave Heineman and Attorney General Jon Bruning for their leadership in challenging this untenable definition, we urge our congressional delegation to bring their influence to bear and we are encouraged to see the federal government moving toward action.

In the past two elections, Nebraska voters have overwhelmingly endorsed Nebraska�s constitutional ban on the hard-core gambling of slot machines. They are illegal whatever they are called � electronic bingo, electronic keno, video poker, video lottery, electronic pickle cards, or even horse slots (slot machines that show replays of old horse races) � and wherever they are located � casinos, keno parlors, bars or even tribal ground.

It is high time the federal government close the loophole that has given tribes cover to operate �bingo� slot machines in violation of the Nebraska Constitution and the will of the Nebraska people. We are grateful to the Journal Star for shining a light on this issue."

Get the Story:
Pat Loontjer/Gambling with the Good Life: 'Bingo' slots don't belong in Nebraska (The Lincoln Journal Star 12/15)