Ariz. Lawmaker Urges Study Of Gambling Expansion

PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona House Republican leader is urging his colleagues to consider expanding off-reservation gambling as a budget-balancing option to avoid tax increases and reduce spending cuts.

House Majority Whip Andy Tobin on Wednesday sent legislative colleagues an e-mail with financial projections for his proposal.

"With the options that have been presented, it would be irresponsible to not include the gaming option," Tobin wrote.

The Paulden Republican said allowing slot machines, blackjack and poker at up to 10 Arizona racetracks could net the state hundreds of millions of dollars of new revenue annually.

Those types of gambling are now legal in Arizona only on tribal reservations with compacts with the state. Wagering on races is permitted at racetracks.

The state faces a budget shortfall of approximately $3 billion in the next fiscal year.

"I did not come down here to promote gaming. I didn't come down here to increase taxes either," Tobin said in the e-mail.