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Senate updates gaming revenue estimates, shifts responsibility for responsible‑gaming funds to governor’s commission
Summary
The committee increased revenue estimates for video lottery terminals (VLTs) and historical horse racing (HHR) machines based on updated Lottery data, redirected responsible‑gaming funding to a governor’s commission, and approved related staffing and Keno rule clarifications; 24‑hour municipal opt‑in for gaming was removed from budget language.
The Senate Finance Committee adjusted its revenue assumptions for expanded gaming after updated information from the Lottery Commission and approved a suite of related budget changes.
Senator Lang said updated daily revenue per VLT machine justified raising the assumption from $3.30 to $3.45 per machine per day, producing roughly $6 million in additional projected revenue. For historical house racing (HHR) machines, the committee adjusted the per‑machine daily assumption from $2.30 to $2.45, which yielded an additional estimated $8.7 million.
The committee also reallocated one quarter‑point of gaming tax revenue to the governor’s newly renamed commission on addiction treatment and prevention to fund responsible‑gaming programs. Senator Lang said that change doubles the previous responsible‑gaming allocation from $500,000 to $1 million, moving the administration and programmatic responsibility away from the Lottery Commission and into the governor’s commission at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Several budget items to support expanded gaming operations were approved, including three additional Lottery positions to administer regulatory and operational responsibilities for increased revenue. The committee clarified municipal authority: it removed a House provision that would have allowed municipalities to authorize 24‑hour gaming in their borders; instead the committee retained earlier Senate language that permits towns to vote to prohibit gaming and set a consistent opt‑out framework. The committee also passed clarifying changes to Keno operational hours so licensed businesses can sell Keno when their doors are open.
Committee discussion included conservative approaches to revenue forecasting. Senator Lang said he consulted Lottery Director McIntyre before raising the VLT and HHR assumptions; Director McIntyre reported higher per‑machine receipts but the senator chose a moderate increase to remain conservative.
Several revenue and policy items passed in committee votes during the session; the committee ordered that revenue calculations be captured in the surplus statement so that the broader budget package accurately reflects gaming revenue assumptions.
