Nebraska Poker Bill Faces Long Odds In 2016Proposed Amendment Didn't Get Enough Votes This Week |
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A bill that would legalize poker rooms in the state of Nebraska faces an uphill battle in 2016. The measure was introduced early last year in what the sponsor called the state’s first real push for poker.
According to Omaha.com, an amendment to the proposal that would make it so only games with community cards, most notably Texas hold’em, are allowed was rejected by state senators Wednesday. The amendment needed 25 lawmakers to endorse it, but the vote was 14-16.
In May, Legislative Bill 619 received mixed signals from the state attorney general who said that draw games might not be allowed under the state constitution. Despite the effort to remove draw games from the legislation, the bill still doesn’t have enough support right now from lawmakers in a state known for being unfriendly toward casino-style gambling.
“The Nebraska Constitution outlaws games of chance,” the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Tyson Larson, told Card Player last year. “[In the bill] I’m saying poker is not a game of chance; it is a game of skill. It is therefore constitutional under the Nebraska State Constitution. It is the mechanism in which we will regulate and tax poker, but also boost economic development in the state of Nebraska and hopefully not let our surrounding states bleed us dry from all the gambling revenue.”
The measure would allow establishments with liquor licenses, as well as nonprofit groups, to apply for approval to run tournaments or cash games.
A $500 limit on tournament and cash game buy-ins is part of the plan.
It won’t surprise most that Nebraska allows the lottery, which is complete chance.
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