Illinois Senate Doubles Bets on Slots

Long-time readers will remember my surprise at seeing casinos at virtually every gas station and even in the next room to an in-door McDonald’s in South Dakota. When Illinois legalized slot machines, it did not require that all establishments hosting … Continue reading

Crystal Lake Opts for 3/5 Pottersville

The name of the alternative town in the 1946  movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” is Pottersville. That’s what happens if the evil banker Harry Potter rules without interference from the Savings and Loan character Jimmy Steward plays. Crystal Lake ended … Continue reading

Slots As Funding Source Oversold

From the anti-gambling Illinois Church Action on Alcoholism and Addiction Problems (ICAAA): IDOT director calls for more reliable infrastructure funding Gambling revenues that have failed to meet expectation show the need for a more reliable, long-term source of transportation funding, … Continue reading

McHenry County Slot Machine Gambling Loses

With the Crystal Lake City Council again being courted by local liquor serving establishments for permission to install slot machines, the Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction Problems organization sent me gambling losses from December, 2014, though May, 2014. … Continue reading

Crystal Lake Bars Planning Another Attempt to Get Slot Machines

Twice the Crystal Lake City Council was approached by bar and restaurant owners requesting permission to have slot machines, which they call “video poker machines”, in their establishments. The last time Suds R Us on Route 176 right before Route … Continue reading

Animal Farm at the Sheriff’s Department

Former McHenry County Deputy Sheriff Zane Seipler continues to deliver interesting nuggets at his web site called McHenry County Sheriff’s Race 2014. The most recent post has an Animal Farm echo. Although not naming the Corrections Office in question, Seipler … Continue reading

Slots That Aren’t Defined as Slots Might Be Coming Our Way

The new slot machine legislation going into effect on New Year’s Day goes under the label of “sweepstakes.” The Tribune’s Joseph Ryan has written a major story on what most legislators probably thought was a  minor bill. Let’s test that … Continue reading

Slot Machine Supporters Roll Snake Eyes in Crystal Lake…Again

Crystal Lake last considered allowing slot machines (euphemistically called “video gaming” by supporters) in Crystal Lake in May, 2012. The vote was 6-1 in opposition with only Ellen Brady-Mueller supporting allowing them. Local bar and restaurant owners advanced the issue … Continue reading

Newspaper Columnist Points Out Video Gambling Equals Nine New Casinos

Southtown columnist Phil Kadner took a look at the slot machines, euphemistically called video gambling, and found that they are the equivalent of nine new casinos. Lots of money that won’t be spent on goods and services will be spent … Continue reading

Electronic Vouchers Would Be Used to Feed Slots under Senate Bill 2234

This article started with a press release from the Illinois Church Action Council on Alcohol and Addiction. There are so many bills expanding gambling (despite the loss of the one to give Chicago, Danville, Rockford and the Waukegan-area casinos) that … Continue reading

Bill Allows Company Running State’s Slot Machine Operation Also to Manufactured and Install Slots

This article started with a press release from the Illinois Church Action Council on Alcohol and Addiction. There are so many bills expanding gambling (despite the loss of the one to give Chicago, Danville, Rockford and the Waukegan-area casinos) that … Continue reading

Off-Track Betting Parlors Would Get Slot Machines under House Bill 1570

This article started with a press release from the Illinois Church Action Council on Alcohol and Addiction. There are so many bills expanding gambling (despite the loss of the one to give Chicago, Danville, Rockford and the Waukegan area casinos) … Continue reading

Bills the Gambling Men and Women of the General Assembly Passed on the Way to Potterville

This article started with a press release from the Illinois Church Action Council on Alcohol and Addiction.  There are so many bills expanding gambling (despite the loss of the one to give Chicago, Danville, Rockford and the Waukegan area casinos) … Continue reading

Illinois Gaming Board Administrator Talking about Legal and Illegal Video Games

A press release from McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi: MCHENRY COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE HOSTS THE ILLINOIS GAMING BOARD Louis A. Bianchi is pleased to announce that the State’s Attorney’s Office is sponsoring a free seminar on Legal and … Continue reading

Bill to Loosen Slot Machine Regulation Passes Senate

Pretend you are a legislator. It is very highly unlikely you will read each bill. Actually, that is impossible as the deadline for passage out of each house approaches. In the House, you don’t even know the order in which … Continue reading