Table game bill details

This is how to get your bill to sail through the Legislature. Make sure it has something for everybody.

From the AP, here are the highlights of the table games bill introduced today in both houses as HB2718 and SB369.

VOTER APPROVAL—Each racetrack county would vote on permitting the games at its track.—If approved, at least 5 percent of county voters could petition for a new election after five years.—If voted down, the county could vote again after two years.

RACETRACK TABLE GAMES FUND—$25,000 annual license fee from each track.—24 percent tax on gross revenues.

FUND OVERHEAD—Up to 15 percent for Lottery Commission to administer and enforce table games regulations.—$250,000 for Compulsive Gambling Treatment Fund.

ANNUAL NET FUND DISTRIBUTIONS
—82.5 percent to general revenue.
—8 percent for race prize purses.
—2 percent for horse and dog breeding funds
—2 percent to racetrack counties.
—2 percent to racetrack municipalities.
—1.5 percent to state Tourism Promotion Fund.
—1 percent for track employee pensions.
—0.5 percent for municipal police and fire pensions.
—0.5 percent for deputy sheriffs’ pensions.

It still has the four county elections rather than a statewide vote. But this time voters could get rid of table games after five years if they wished; bills in previous years did not allow for such. Also, some public employee pension funds that are underfunded would get some help. Why horse and dog breeding funds need the money is beyond me.

So now the debate can begin.