casino news: 20 Nov 2011

Sunday, 20 November 2011

South Carolina mulls gambling plans

The state Senate Judiciary panel is holding public hearings March 23 at North Charleston City Hall and March 30 in Greenville County Council chambers. The meetings start at 5:30 p.m.

South Carolina politicians are seeking public input concerning new plans to allow gamblers to play cards with friends and let charities hold casino-night fundraisers.

Current state law bans all games with dice and cards, and all raffles except for the state lottery. State Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell has proposed legislation to allow friendly games of poker and charity raffles.

State Lions Club executive director Gregg Turner told senators recently the 161 clubs statewide have lost $500,000 since law enforcement concerns ceased their raffles a year ago. That means fewer seniors are getting free hearing aids, glasses and eye surgeries, which were paid for through the charitable proceeds.

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Arkansas Race Track Reports Revenues Jump 65 Percent

A horse racing track in Hot Springs, Arkansas – hometown of former President Bill Clinton -- is reporting a 65 percent jump in revenues from wagers on video poker, blackjack and other electronic games.
The Arkansas Racing Commission this week said gamblers wagered $29.7 million on Oaklawn Park's "electronic games of skill" last month. The commission reports that the track paid out $28 million in prizes.

More than $18 million had been wagered on the games in July 2008, according to the commission.

A West Memphis greyhound track also reported positive news. Southland Gaming and Racing gained $36.3 million in wagers last month, and only paid out $33.3 million.

Lawmakers in 2005 voted to allow Hot Springs and West Memphis to hold elections on electronic gaming machines at the towns' race tracks. Voters in both cities approved the games, overwhelmingly.

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