Pro Gaming Sentiment Rocks Elections

In the interim, Tennessee constituents approved a referendum to do away with the current states "ban on lottery" status, thus opening the door to a state run lottery with the intent on subsidizing education programs.

However, in Iowa, there seems to still be some issues not resolved, such as riverboats among anti- gaming and pro-gaming factions. Frank Fahrenkopf, the head of the American Gaming Association, commented on this particular issue, saying, "The most important election was Iowa, where 11 counties by state law have to reauthorize the operation of riverboat casinos every eight years."

North Carolina, Idaho and Arizona, where also rubbed with pro gaming proposals.

The gaming issue surfaced in 23 gubernatorial races and subsequently pro gaming candidates in 13 states won nominations. Pennsylvania and Maryland pro gaming governors were nominated and New York, California and Nevada governors where re-elected. Jason Ader, a market analyst for Bear, Stearns & Co., commented on the recent elections, saying, "Given large shortfalls in many state budgets, the potential expansion of gaming to fund various state programs has become an important element of many politicians' platforms."