What's happening with casino gaming?

• Position: NCSL Inside

What's the "hot" issue for your hardworking NCSL staff this month? Looking at the volume of calls, casino gaming rises to the top of the deck. Several states recently took action on casino gaming.

STATES WITH CASINOS

Casinos Riverboats Indian Casinos

Arizona X California X Colorado X X Connecticut X Idaho Illinois X X Indiana X X Iowa X X X Louisiana X X X Michigan X Minnesota X Mississippi X X X Missouri X X Montana X Nebraska X Nevada X X New Jersey X New Mexico X New York X North Dakota X Oregon X South Dakota X X Washington X Wisconsin X Passing: Voters in Bridgeport, Conn., endorsed a casino gambling concept this year in a nonbinding referendum while the New York Legislature approved a constitutional amendment to allow casinos in upstate New York. That measure has to pass next year's Legislature and be approved by voters. The Florida Supreme Court approved a November ballot amendment that would allow up to 20 casinos in the state with local government approval.

Failing: Casino opponents got a boost when legislation to bring 25 riverboat casinos to Pennsylvania died in the General Assembly this year. And the Alabama Legislature defeated efforts that would have opened eight casinos. Governors in Michigan and Texas also have intervened. John Engler announced in Michigan that he would not allow off-reservation Indian casinos in Detroit...