Language for another petition that would ask voters in November to reconsider casino-style gambling was filed Tuesday with the secretary of state’s office.

The petition, backed by Boyd Gaming Corp., based in Las Vegas, calls for three casinos, one in each of Nebraska’s three congressional districts. A majority of the revenue would be earmarked for Nebraska schools.

Voters rejected two gambling initiatives in November 2004, including one from Coast Casinos, which Boyd Gaming Corp. has since acquired. To make the 2006 ballot, about 115,000 signatures would have to be gathered by July 7.

If the petition is successful, voters would consider a constitutional amendment to allow Las Vegas-style gambling, along with two statute initiatives, on the ballot.

One initiative would create an agency to regulate the casinos, and another would earmark 90 percent of the revenue for K-12 education. The other 10 percent would go to treat gambling addictions and for horse racing purses, said Greg Lemon, chairman of the Committee for Better Schools and More Jobs in Nebraska, which is backing the proposal.

The horse racing earmark, he said, was set forth to “hold that industry harmless,” because it’s one of the few legalized forms of gambling in the state, Lemon said.

Last week, three of Nebraska’s Native tribes filed a petition that calls for one off-reservation casino, likely near Omaha. The proceeds would go to the tribes’ economic needs, with slices going to the state and the county in which the casino is located.

The tribes won’t be deterred by another gambling petition, said Ben Thompson, policy consultant with Affirmative Public Policy Solutions, a consultant leading the tribes’ effort, Tuesday.

“These petitions were clearly filed in response to the single petition filed by a coalition of Nebraska tribes two weeks ago,” Thompson said in a release. “We do not expect that all three petitions will be allowed on the November ballot, particularly given their sponsors and substance.”

Lemon said he has been in discussions with gambling proponents for a few months.

Gambling opponents have called the latest gambling petitions  disrespectful to voters.

“It’s an insult to the citizens of Nebraska,” said Pat Loontjer of anti-gambling group, Gambling with the Good Life. “They want to take our money, and we want to protect our way of life.”

This latest gambling petition is different because it’s more limited than those voted down in 2004, Lemon said. Also, the 2004 initiatives didn’t earmark the money for K-12 education, he said.

However, some have questioned whether other gambling initiatives can be brought forward because of the two gambling initiatives that failed in 2004. The constitution requires a three-year waiting period before measures similar “in form or in substance” can be brought before voters.

The secretary of state’s office is expected to rule on whether that constitutional prohibition applies to the latest measures.

“So, while it’s about gaming, it’s not the same in form or in substance,” said Lemon, who also works as an attorney and consultant in Lincoln.

That’s at least $100 million more a year for Nebraska schools, he said.

About $3 million would go toward compulsive gambling treatment, and 5 percent, with a cap of up to $10 million, would go toward horse racing purses, Lemon said.

Reach Gwen Tietgen at 473-7242 or gtietgen@journalstar.com.