Efforts to Expand Gambling Not Surging Ahead

Here’s a report from Anita Bedell of Illinois Church Action on Alcoholism and Addiction:

The House Executive Committee heard testimony on SB 7 at noon on Memorial Day. ILCAAAP was the first to speak in opposing the 548 page massive gambling expansion bill that included:

Casinos – Land-based casinos for Chicago, Rockford, Danville, Waukegan, South Suburbs, Williamson County Winery, and racetracks at Arlington Park, Fairmount Park, Hawthorne, Quad-City Downs (no live racing since 1993) , and a new racetrack in Cook County.
 Chicago could have a perpetual license with
  • 4,000 gambling positions at one or more temporary/permanent locations, including O’Hare and Midway Airports;
  • 1,600 gambling positions at other casinos;
  • 1,200 gambling positions at racetracks, except 900 at Fairmount and 350-900 at Quad-City.   (Note: Fairmount would have to negotiate an agreement with the Casino Queen before getting slots and table games.)
 “First preference for a [casino] owners license” issued under the bill would go “to an applicant who . . . does not operate and is not licensed as an owners licensee in Illinois, whose main corporate headquarters has been located within the county of the proposed permanent location of the riverboat for more than 3 years, and whose 2 principals have regulated gaming experience within the State.”
Note: This could be a large video gambling terminal operator!
Video Gambling – Increases the number of machines at establishments from 5 to 6; doubles maximum bet from $2 to $4; increases jackpot from $500 to $1,199; progressive jackpots. Half of the municipal share must be used for police/firemen pensions.
 
Electronic Video Sweepstakes Kiosks – 10 machines could offer instant product promotional prizes after money is inserted. Kiosks could be put in establishments that don’t qualify for video gambling; no regulation included.
Internet GamblingSports Gambling, and Internet Fantasy Sports had separate sections in SB 7, but no language was included.
Sen. Terry Link spoke before the House Executive Committee voted 5 to 4 not to pass SB 7. Sen. Link said to “those who have a little bit of a problem, suck it up because you’re gonna still make money in this industry and you know you are.”  Read more

Comments

Efforts to Expand Gambling Not Surging Ahead — 1 Comment

  1. When’s the bill that’s gonna put slots in High Schools coming?

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