Bruning Rejects Slot Machine Proposal 

Attorney General Jon Bruning has ruled that the new slot machine proposal is illegal and violates the state’s constitution. There are two initiatives in question, and Bruning feels that both of them are illegal as it stands in Nebraska’s constitution. He feels they have already been rejected by the state’s voters, and therefore cannot be submitted again. 

Nebraska’s constitution only allows the same initiative to be submitted once every three years. "Expanded gambling brought to Nebraska by Boyd Gaming is, in essence, the substance that Nebraskans voted down two years ago," Bruning said. "The people have spoken. They are very clear. And to have these petitions come back every other year begins to wear on the population."  

One of the initiatives wants to put a casino in each of the state’s three congressional districts and the other legalizes video keno machines, or “glorified slot machines” as many have called them. Supporters say that these are different from the ones that were voted on and defeated two years ago. It now goes to Secretary of State John Gale, who will either approve or reject the initiatives. The head of the group that wants the gambling brought in has already said that if they are rejected they will take the state to court.

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