Some of the biggest conservative names in Nebraska politics came to the Capitol on Monday to show their opposition to a ballot measure to legalize casino gambling in the state.
Gov. Pete Ricketts, former Gov. Kay Orr and former congressman and Hall of Fame coach Tom Osborne – all Republicans – were among those taking part in the news conference organized by Gambling With The Good Life, which has defeated multiple gambling initiatives over the past 2 decades.
Supporters put 3 gambling measures on the ballot via initiative petition. One allows casinos at state-licensed race tracks in Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, Columbus and South Sioux City, another creates a gaming commission to oversee gambling, and one taxes gambling revenue.
Gambling With the Good Life founder Pat Loontjer told the crowd that approving the proposal which is on the November ballot would open a can of worms that couldn’t be closed with the possibility of casinos on tribal land.