Senator Nebraska, "Skill Game" is subject to tax and calls for additional reduction in property tax

In recent years, the number of video games, such as slot machines, has increased more than twice in the whole state.

By: Paul Hame l-January 9, 2023 4:30 AM

The s o-called "skill games", like Daily Double Kenoparer in Denton, are increasing in the state. It is not considered "gambling" because it requires some skills to win. (Paul Hamel / Nebraska Investigation Department)

Editorial Note: This article was updated to add comments from skill game executives.

Lincol n-Nebraska's small outlet sign on the strip mall in Carney states, "Let's pay a lot of money," or "$ 15, 000 today."

Almost all barren walls are lined with video machines that look just like Slot machines currently played on Lincoln and Grand Island in Nebraska's first legal casino.

In Nebraska, nearly 4, 000 skill games have been approved, about four times that of slot machines. (Rachel Johnson/ Hochcunk)

The spot of this carney is not a gambling casino, but a skill game "casino", unlike the slot machine (illegal at the time), which is an accidental game, so it requires some skill to win, so Nebraska's best. The court holds a legal machine in 2011.

According to data from the Nebraska State revenue station, the number of such skill games has increased more than twice over the entire Nebraska, and it was 1, 577 units in 2018, but in November it increased to 3, 878 units. did.

Nationwide problem

Bars and restaurants have been around for many years, but now they are also established in convenience stores, supermarkets, and carne y-independent skill game casinos.

According to the American Gaming Association, an industry organization that supports casinos, it is part of the US trends that have gained an estimated $ 109 billion and sales to $ 27 billion.

According to Wall Street Journal's news, gaming associations have recently intervened in the US Department of Justice and are calling for gambling equipment as a gambling device.

Reduction of property tax

In Nebraska, the Senator of the state aims to contribute to the reduction of property taxes, along with the Warhorse casino operator in Lincoln, paying the same tax as a slot machine in skill games and reducing the property tax like a slot machine.

Albion's Senator Tom Brief (provided by the Uni Council Information Bureau)

Albion's Senator Tom Brief, who has a highest priority on reduction of property tax, has taxed in the same tax rate as the slot machine (20 % of pure income) in skill games, and uses his income as a property tax deduction. He said he would submit a bill to Congress this year.

"As a position to promote the reduction of property tax, I consider these gamepers as another source of income." As a position to reduce property tax, I have another gaming machine. Think of it as a source.

Lans Morgan, president and CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., who operates Warhorse Casino in Lincoln, had to pay $ 5 million to a state casino license that allowed the installation of slot machines. He said that there is a business that can install a skill machine by purchasing a $ 250 state sticker.

Lance Morgan, president and CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., the parent company of Warhorse Gaming. (Provided by: Ho-Chunk Inc.)

Currently, Lancaster County has more skill games (568 units) than Warhorse Casino slot machines (430 units). If you get tired of playing with a casino slot machine, you can play with the new convenience store just across the street, a skill game in the U-STOP store.

One of the sales to voters who approved the casino gambling last year was to reduce the income from casinos and slot machines to reduce property tax.

According to Hochkank's estimate, taxing a skill game could increase more than $ 20 million.

Wild West

Morgan also believes that skill games need more strict inspection and monitoring, like slot machines.

One of his employees, Rachel Johnson, recently visited the state to learn about the current situation of skill games. Johnson discovered that a minor is playing on a machine, and the winner has declared that he must call the phone number to claim the prize, and the prize money is the employee of the store. He found a sign that was written that he had to share it with a member.

"It's like a western part of the western part," says Morgan. There are skill games on almost all street corners, and the opposition gambling was always afraid.

The wall of Carney's skill game "Casino" states that prize money must be shared with employees. (Rachel Johnson/Ho-Chunk Inc.)

"I don't understand why the former government, which was so opposed to gambling, has spread the casino, and quoted Governor Pete Lights, who opposed the casino gambling bill.

A charity group and a company oppose tax

Proposals for taxing games are expected to be strongly opposed by companies and charitable organizations that own games and benefit.

Lincoln's Sauce Club Jim Ritzmann said that if 20 % of taxes were imposed, the club's skill game would probably end.

According to Ritzman, the club has set up 10 to 12 skilled games in the Lincoln sports bar and earns about $ 75, 000 a year. It is said that revenue is used for youth activities and university scholarships.

Will kill us

"Ritzmann says," They are like chasing the donations, "" All of our revenues will be returned to the community, which will kill us. "

In addition, some small and mediu m-sized businesses, including small towns, have asserted that profits from game consoles are useful for maintaining business.

Ritzmann, Kent Logat, Robyist, representing the American Amusmens, said that comparing skill games and slot machines is like comparing apples and orange.

In one, some skilled game players have a regular defeat of the machine and have enough skills to earn more than the amount they have invested in.

John Fox, an executive of American Amusements, headquartered in Nebraska, argued that the regulation of skill games is inadequate. He added that taxing skills games would increase taxes to small and mediu m-sized enterprises and charitable organizations. Bank Shot's machine has returned half of pure income to them.

Some skilled game critics argue that there is almost no skill to play games, and there is little difference from slot machines.

There is no way to cover

David Gaeyer, director of the Nebraska Gamblers Assistance Program, who is counseling the gambler, says his skill game is a very addictive game. The most common consultation in the state's program is from skill game players.

You can play at the same speed as spending money, and most skill games and players play frequently.

The explosive increase in gaming machines causes another problem.

There is no way to take them up now, "says Gayer.

Thanks to you, our work is established.