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Law enforcement officers in Nebraska continue to find slot machines in local bars.  The problem with illegal slot machines is that they steal gambling dollars from legal, charitable games, like keno.  When officers seize slot machines, they are typically destroyed.

Between the months of July 2007 and June 2008, inspectors with the Nebraska’s Charitable Gaming Division reported no less than 38 suspicious gambling devices, many of them likely to be slot machines, in 12 separate counties throughout the state.
 
“A lot of bars do this,” Arnold said.

“I guess the reward is worth the risk”

Many bars risk bring in illegal slot machines in order to boost their revenue.  In addition to slot machines making a lot of money, the illegal earnings are not reported and therefore go untaxed.

There is a good chance that the state Legislature will vote this year to allow racetracks in Nebraska to operate slot machines.  Two proposals are currently being reviewed though it is not yet guaranteed that either will reach the floor for debate.

Although the General Affairs Committee recently held a public hearing on the slot machine proposals, no vote was taken on whether the pieces of legislatures should be advanced.   

Nebraska law mandates that bar owners accused of operating illegal gambling devices face a 20 day suspension of their liquor license or a $1,000 fine, as defined by the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission.  A repeat offense may result in the complete loss of their liquor license or they could face misdemeanor criminal charges.

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