LINCOLN- The Legislature on Thursday amended its casino gambling implementation legislation to level the playing field for community keno parlors and ban casino sports betting on games involving Nebraska sports teams when they are competing within the state. Those changes were designed to meet the objections of a number of senators in an effort to ensure that the bill, LB561, can command the supermajority vote of at least 33 of the 49 senators that ultimately will be required to implement the legislation on final enactment.

Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, sponsor of the bill, questioned some of the changes but accepted what he described as "a reasonable compromise" that appeared to be required in order to be certain that the Legislature ultimately will be able to "respect the will of the voters."

The amendment, brought by Senator Steve Lathrop, does not allow keno gambling with an electronic device at Nebraska casinos, requiring casinos to "live by the same rules" as keno parlors. The sports betting change also included in the amendment was added to attract the votes of a few senators who had strenuously argued against allowing sports betting on the Huskers when they are playing games in Lincoln.

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