As election results continued to come in yesterday more gambling issues were resolved. In distant Guam Proposal B to allow slot machines at Guam Greyhound Park was defeated by 20,250 votes to 16,698. The initiative previously lost two and four years ago. Questions still arise over whether the Guam Election Commission followed the law over its handling of the initiative and the antigambling lobby may continue to pursue the matter through the courts even though they won the vote.

Arkansas lifted a statewide ban on bingo and raffles played for charity; South Dakota voters failed to repeal video lottery law. In Nebraska a bid for video keno to replace the paper version of the game in bars was defeated. The amendment in Arkansas restricts the games to authorized nonprofit groups that have existed for five years, including religious, educational, veterans and civic organizations. In South Dakota 67% voted against repealing the video lottery despite arguments that social costs were too high and the US$112 million annual revenue could be found elsewhere.

Ohio and Arizona also voted for stricter anti-smoking measures. In Iowa support was narrowly won for the operation of a casino boat in Tama County. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission would have to approve a licence. In Nevada the gaming and hospitality industry could not convince voters to approve Question 4 on smoking and the wider reaching Question 5 was adopted, which will limit public smoking to casino floors and stand-alone bars with limited food service. Bars in Nevada will now have to decide whether to stop serving food or stop their customers from smoking. (E-11.09.06)

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