High Stakes: Gambling Ballot Measures, 2006

Publication Date: September 2007

Publisher: National Institute on Money in State Politics (U.S.)

Author(s): Scott Jordan

Research Area: Politics

Type: Report

Coverage: Rhode Island Ohio Nebraska Nebraska

Abstract:

The 2006 elections saw voters in five states vote on six ballot measures involving gambling issues. Four of the measures sought to expand gambling in some form, while a measure in South Dakota sought to eliminate gambling in the state. Of the six ballot measures, only Arkansas' Referred Amendment passed.

Committees supporting and opposing the measures raised nearly $54 million. Gambling-related enterprises with a direct stake in the passage or failure of the measures provided 89 percent, or $48 million of all contributions related to the measures.

Rhode Island saw a turf war between gaming interests: gambling companies provided 98 percent of contributions to committees on both sides of the measures. Anti-gaming committees in the other four states received no contributions from gaming interests.