Gambling hits the jackpot in a few states.

• Position: Statestats

Slot machines, video gaming, lotteries, casinos and racetracks are being eyed as a way to fill state budget shortfalls, but gambling is a hard sell in states that don't already allow it. Only Oklahoma has authorized a new form of gaming (a lottery earmarked for education that needs voter approval), as of late July, but 11 states allowed more gambling or increased gaming taxes.

Some states found ways to bring in more money by increasing the amounts that can be wagered in video poker machines and expanding gambling hours for machines and riverboat casinos. A couple of legislatures authorized joining other states in regional lotteries, and two more approved wagering on simulcast, out-of-state races at existing tracks.

A big issue in 13 states was allowing slot machines or other video gaming at racetracks or bars. At press time, measures were still pending in New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania. It will be up to voters in Colorado and Maine. The others failed.

Gamblers wagered from $9.5 billion in Nevada to $8 million in North Carolina in 2001. States take a cut by imposing various tax rates and fees on different kinds of legalized gambling ($26.8 billion in 2000). For details refer to www.ncsl.org/programs/econ/gamingmeas.htm

STATES THAT ALLOW GAMING DEVICES OUTSIDE OF CASINOS State Racetracks Other locations Delaware Video Lottery Iowa Slots Louisiana Video Gaming Video Gaming Maryland Video Gaming ** Montana Video Gaming Nevada Slots and Video Gaming New Mexico Slots and Video Gaming New York Video Gaming * Oregon Video Lottery and Video Lottery other Video Gaming Rhode Island Video Lottery South Dakota Video Lottery West Virginia Video Lottery Video Lottery * To be implemented ** In certain counties Note: Video lottery terminals are similar to other video gaming machines that offer games like poker and blackjack, but the state lottery agency manages them. Source: NCSL and Christiansen Capital Advisors LLC GAMBLING IN THE STATES AND TERRITORIES Parimutuel 2001 Gross...