Nebraska governor renews objections to expanded gambling

SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. (AP) – Gov. Pete Ricketts renewed his objections to expanded gambling in Nebraska during a speech in South Sioux City, where a Native American tribe plans to open a gambling center at a shuttered dog track.

During an address Friday to the South Sioux City Chamber of Commerce, Ricketts said a proposed ballot measure to legalize casinos in Nebraska would be bad for the state’s economic development, the Sioux City Journal reported.

“For every dollar you collect in tax revenues, you are spending three (dollars) in social services, whether it is child abuse, spousal abuse, embezzlement,” Ricketts told the newspaper. “So, gambling is not an economic driver for the state.”

Ho-Chunk Inc., the economic development arm of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, plans to build a short horse track, sports bar and simulcast wagering center at the site of the former Atokad Downs in South Sioux City. In 2013, shortly after Ho-Chunk first bought the property, Ho-Chunk officials said they planned to open a casino at the site.

Ho-Chunk development director Alexcia Boggs said last month that South Sioux City track will be built regardless of what happens with the casino ballot issue.

The track, which would have one live racing date per year, is waiting for approval of its license from the state racing commission. Ho-Chunk plans to construct the track this summer and run a race sometime in September.

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Information from: Sioux City Journal, http://www.siouxcityjournal.com