Charitable Gaming Activity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 14, 2005

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary J. Egr Edson, State Tax Commissioner
402/471-5604
James Haynes, Director of Charitable Gaming
402/471-5813

CHARITABLE GAMING ACTIVITY
OCTOBER 1 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2004

LINCOLN -- The Nebraska Department of Revenue Charitable Gaming Division reports that total dollars wagered on charitable gaming activities for the period October 1, 2004 through December 31, 2004 were $63,437,525, which is less than a 1% increase from the prior quarter. When compared to the same quarter in 2003, the amount wagered for the quarter ending December 31, 2004, represents a 1.7% decrease. Overall, wagering for the calendar year ending December 31, 2004 ($257,067,727) was 2.1% less than the previous calendar year when $262,475,566 was wagered.

County/city lottery (keno), the highest grossing charitable gaming activity, increased 6.1% from the previous quarter with gross wagering of $46,359,404. This was also an increase of 1.6% from the same quarter in 2003. Pickle cards had gross proceeds of $12,113,684 for the quarter. This is a 10.4% decrease from the previous quarter and a 12.8% decrease from the same quarter in 2003. Bingo gross receipts of $3,615,459 for the quarter were down 9.6% from the previous quarter, but were 0.5% more than the same quarter in 2003. Lottery/raffle activity was the lowest in gross wagering at $1,348,978. This was a decrease of 18.3% from the prior quarter and a 6.4% decrease from the same quarter in 2003.

The highest amount wagered on charitable gaming activities in Nebraska was during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1994. Comparing this peak year to the 12 months ending December 31, 2004, the decreases in pickle card gross wagering were 70%, in bingo 38%, and in keno over 10%.

Combined charitable gaming activities generated taxes and fees of $1,430,086 for the last reporting quarter. Of that amount, $73,200 were license fees paid this quarter. Charitable gaming is now generating $5.9 million in taxes and fees on an annual basis.

Statistical Summaries

APPROVED:
Mary J. Egr Edson
State Tax Commissioner