ILLINOIS - to become Land of the Losers?

Illinois residents would have to lose millions of additional dollars gambling every year for the state to get the projected yearly revenue from the proposed gambling bill (HR 25). While gambling is touted as a painless source of revenue to pay for construction projects and education, the unintended consequences could harm families and businesses statewide. Addicted gamblers steal, embezzle from employers, lose jobs, families and homes, go bankrupt, go to jail, and commit suicide. The costs far outweigh the benefits.

Gambling is not just a harmless form of entertainment. The rate of gambling addiction doubles within a 50 mile radius of a new gambling facility. Economists have estimated that problem and pathological gamblers account for up to half of casino revenue. Family members have come here today to share the impact of gambling and the harm that will come to others if more gambling is expanded in Illinois.

The Wall Street Journal reported this week that "as more states look to win the economic jackpot with casinos, evidence suggests they are playing a losing hand". Chicago area casinos are listed as #3 in the nation in terms of annual revenue. Illinois could move to #1 in the nation with a land-based casino in Chicago and 3 additional casinos in the South Suburbs, near O'Hare, and Waukegan.

When Governor Blogojevich was running for office in 2002, he completed an ILCAAAP Candidate Survey and pledged to oppose many forms of gambling expansion. During his first term in office the Governor stopped many gambling proposals from moving forward, and he took gambling "off the table" in the budget negotiations. We are surprised that the Governor is now willing to support a mega gambling expansion bill as long as all of the money will be spent on health care. Expanding gambling will create more harm, addiction, and illness for families.

Cindy Canary, Director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, said, "Gambling is touted as the annual budget savior this time of year, largely because their campaign contributions give them clout out of all proportion to their role in the state. As legislators try to come up with a budget, they should remember that the negotiating table does not have a roulette wheel in the middle."

Revenue from the Illinois Lottery accounts for only 9 percent of the education funding. Lottery and riverboat casino revenue account for 4.8 percent of the general fund in the 2007 budget. The proposed gambling expansion proposals will turn Illinois into the Land of the Losers.

"We are asking legislators and the Governor to take gambling off the table," said Anita Bedell, Executive Director of ILCAAAP. "The citizens of Illinois should not become the losers in this budget deal."