clarinews@clarinet.com (KEN ROSS) (01/12/90)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (UPI) -- Gov. Edward D. DiPrete swallowed his distaste for legalized sports betting Thursday and proposed sanctioning it to offset a budget deficit that could reach $100 million or more this fiscal year. DiPrete, outlining a $20 million package of savings and fees, said he was reluctant to turn to sports betting as a revenue source but felt it was ``less onerous'' than raising taxes, something he swore he would not do in his State of the State address last week. The Republican governor called on the Democratically-controlled Legislature to act quickly on the betting proposal along with others that require their approval. ``In Massachusetts, they waited too long for things to happen and, in my opinion, that's how they got into trouble there,'' DiPrete said. Majority Leader Thomas Lamb, D-West Warwick, said he was unsure how the House would react to the sports betting proposal, but guessed many past opponents might favor it because of the budget problem. A bill similar to what DiPrete is proposing has already been introduced in the House, along with a bill that would allow Rhode Islanders to bet on out-of-state horse and dog races. Senate Majority Leader David Carlin, D-Newport, said he does not want to see sports betting legalized. ``It's too late to undo the lottery, but I don't think the state should be in the business of encouraging people to gamble,'' he said. Sports betting could raise $500,000 this fiscal year and $5 to $7 million annually, DiPrete aides said. It is legal in Nevada and Oregon, though the National Basketball Association has sued Oregon over its program. A proposal in Massachusetts to run a football betting card died in talks between the House and Senate at the end of last year.