THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 28, 1997 TAG: 9701280271
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBERT LITTLE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: 59 lines
Virginia's flirtation with casino gambling is over, riverboat casinos having been abandoned as a lost cause.
And now some state lawmakers are trying to douse temptation's fires for good.
The Senate Privileges and Elections Committee will debate a proposed constitutional amendment today that would prohibit slot machines, keno or other casino-style gambling in Virginia.
Its passage is not a certainty - amendments to the Constitution never are.
But even its consideration, two years after gambling supporters thought Virginia might authorize floating casinos, is a huge shift in the legislature's outlook toward gambling.
``I don't see the enthusiasm anywhere - even where it used to be,'' said Norfolk Sen. Stanley C. Walker, who sponsored legislation two years ago to create riverboat casinos.
``I think there's been a change of thinking around Virginia, somewhat.
``It seems to me the attitude of most people is that they don't want Virginia to be associated with a lot of different forms of gambling.''
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Mark L. Earley, R-Chesapeake, would prohibit the General Assembly from passing any law authorizing casino-style gambling.
Forms of gambling approved already - such as the lottery and horse racing - would not be affected.
Like all amendments, the measure would have to pass the General Assembly twice, then be approved in a statewide referendum.
The proposal faces some obstacles. Many lawmakers are reluctant to pass any constitutional budget restriction, for instance.
Also, there are some questions about whether the state Lottery Department needs legislative approval for keno or slot machines anyway.
Earley says his measure is an attempt to block any new forms of casino-style gambling, including anything the state Lottery Board might try to create. And if the amendment removes gambling as a money-making option in a recession? That's exactly what he hopes it would do.
``I, like a lot of people, am concerned about the proliferation of casino gambling around the country,'' said Earley.
``Maybe it's been quiet for the last year or two, but the large casinos and casino operators are still looking to expand into new markets.
``We have the advantage at this point in time of some of the fervor dying down. It's a good opportunity to do something.''
Constitutional amendments typically fare better when they correct something rather than prevent something, because of lawmakers' reluctance to meddle with the state's basic creed.
But opponents of gambling hope they have politics on their side this year, and an issue difficult for image-minded lawmakers to reject.
``It's an election year,'' said anti-gambling lobbyist Bill Kincaid. ``This is a no-sin session.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo
Sen. Mark L. Earley of Chesapeake wants to write a ban into the
state Constitution.
KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1997 GAMBLING PROPOSED
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT