Governor of Connecticut Considers Legalizing State Run Keno Gambling
Governor M. Jodi Rell is again pushing for keno gambling in the state of Connecticut. The problem is that he wants the gambling run through the state lotto and tribal casinos may not like this. The two tribes have an agreement in place that allows keno gambling at their casinos. The state law is unclear, according to Attorney general Richard Blumenthal, as to whether the state can legally offer their own version of the popular game. Rell has decided to make this request for the same reason many other states have chosen. A deficit in the budget is motivating many states to consider allowing and legalizing gambling through a multitude of venues, in this case a state managed keno gambling game. Other states have used different forms of gambling to help cut into budget deficits. Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Missouri, and Kansas are among the states that have legalized table games or added amendments to their former laws. In the Northeast, Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania are all going after the struggling Atlantic City casino industry. Pennsylvania has added table games for their casinos, and Delaware lawmakers are considering doing the same.
“Most of these states have agreements where the tribe’s receive exclusivity of the games they offer,” said Gaming Analyst Steve Schwartz, “in Connecticut, the agreement seems to have some grey area, and the governor may choose to use that to the state’s advantage.”
The question of gambling is one that is still up in the air. Though many states are looking to legalize and regulate games, including Keno, there are still many legal obstables to get around. For one, the only real legislation focused on gambling is the UIGEA of 2006. Over the years it has proven to be lacking in power of wording and strength to truly uphold gambling laws. Now legislators from every state are battling the issue out, wanting to find better ways of managing gambling. Most are looking towards legalization as a means of bringing in much-needed tax-dollar revenues. Only time will tell whether or not the games will be legalized and if revenues can be worked out to benefit the state coffers.
Tags: Connecticut, Keno, legzlisation
