THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 23, 1996 TAG: 9601230286
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBERT LITTLE AND DAVID M. POOLE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
Norfolk Democrats searching for a way to allay state lawmakers' perennial fears about riverboat gambling have unveiled a new strategy: Pitch floating casinos as part of the popular Virginia Lottery.
Legislation introduced Monday would place riverboat wagering on a statewide referendum this November in which voters also would consider a multi-state Powerball lotto and a video numbers game known as keno.
``We need these things,'' said Del. William P. Robinson Jr., who introduced the legislation just one hour before Monday's 6 p.m. deadline for submitting bills to the 1996 General Assembly.
``So far, the lottery has saved the citizens of Virginia from a tax increase. But now we see a serious hole in the budget, and I haven't heard of any other solutions.''
Gambling foes, however, aren't buying the effort to repackage casinos as simply the next lottery offering.
``It's just another game, right?'' anti-gambling organizer William Kincaid said with thick sarcasm.
Del. William C. Mims, R-Leesburg, put it this way: ``It still boils down to the question: Do you support riverboat gambling?''
Even with its new wrappings, riverboat gambling faces a keen battle. The measure failed in the House of Delegates two years ago, and was withdrawn last year in the face of certain defeat.
Norfolk Democrats see a glimmer of hope this year because of attention focused on Powerball and keno, two controversial lottery games that Gov. George F. Allen had included in his proposed budget.
The Allen administration last week backed away from the new games, a move that opened a potential $67.3 million shortfall in the two-year spending plan.
Robinson has offered his riverboat/Powerball/keno bill as a solution to the problem - and a way to raise additional revenue.
Under the bill, voters would be given a three-part question, with the opportunity to approve as many - or as few - of the games as they would like.
One-quarter of riverboat gambling profits would go to localities in Hampton Roads and eastern Virginia where as many as seven boats would be docked. The rest of the revenue would be dedicated to building roads, improving schools and attracting new industry.
Supporters have tightened enforcement provisions. In addition to giving the Lottery Board oversight, the state police would post a trooper on each boat.
``It's much more of a Virginia approach - tight as a tick,'' said Alan Albert, a Norfolk lawyer serving as counsel to the Virginia Riverboat Council.
Another twist this year: Robinson is carrying the bill for Del. Jerrauld C. Jones, a longtime riverboat advocate who is busy with other legislation.
Riverboat supporters have their best shot in the House, where Speaker Thomas W. Moss Jr. of Norfolk can steer the bill toward the House General Laws Committee.
Earlier this month, Moss kicked one of the bill's more ardent opponents off General Laws. And another foe on the panel, Del. Frank Wagner of Virginia Beach, said he recently bought a shipyard in Newport News and might not be able to vote on the measure because of a potential conflict of interest.
In the Senate, Norfolk Sen. Stanley C. Walker said he won't sponsor a version of the bill this year because of other demands on his time. Besides, Walker said, it will be so tough to get riverboat gambling past the Senate that he doesn't need the headache.
KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1996 RIVERBOAT GAMBLING LOTTERY by CNB