Nebraska Attorney General Against Casino and Keno Petitions
Attorney General Jon Bruning said Monday that he believes petition initiatives that allow casino gambling and video keno should not make it to the November ballot in Nebraska.
Bruning said that the casino measure is in violation of the state constitution, as it has been an issue that has been previously rejected in 2004. State constitution prohibits the submission of similar ballot proposals more than once in three years.
Bruning likewise said that as for video keno, it would allow a form of gambling that is not authorized in the constitution. He also categorized video keno to be in the same league as the casino proposal, and is therefore also in violation of the state constitution.
"Nebraska voters sent a clear message against gambling two years ago, and they cannot legally be subjected to another round of initiatives this year," Bruning said.
However, Secretary of State John Gale will have the last say if casino gambling and video keno can be included on the ballot. Gale said that he will be announcing his decision on the matter by Wednesday.
Greg Lemon, chairman of the casino petition group, has warned that he would be taking the matter to court should they get an unfavorable ruling.
"We will do whatever is necessary within the law to get the measure on the ballot," he said.
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