May 1, 2007
Gambling Legislative Update & Action Alert
The deadline has been extended on several gambling bills in the House and Senate and could be called for a vote this week.
- HB 315 - Lottery Scratch Off Ticket for HIV/AIDS
- HB 480 - Massive Gambling Expansion Bill (Amendment #2 put on Friday)
- HB 1040 - Lottery Scratch Off Ticket for Multiple Sclerosis
- SB 764 - Lottery Scratch Off Ticket for Multiple Sclerosis
- SB 774 - Lottery Scratch Off Ticket for HIV/AIDS
- SB 11 - "Shell bill" for casino gambling expansion
Three gambling bills passed in the House and were sent to the Senate:
- HB 420 - Lottery Scratch Off Ticket for Special Olympics
- HB 1124 - Legalizes gambling on video games in bars statewide
- HB 3649 - Omnibus Charitable gambling bill
For Immediate Action
- Call your State Representative (217-782-2000) and ask him/her to vote NO on HB 315, HB 480, and HB 1040.
- Call your State Senator (217-782-2000) and ask him/her to vote NO on SB 764, SB 774, and House Bills 420, HB 1124, and HB 3649.
- Share this information with your church, synagogue, or mosque.
- Forward to 8 others.
HB 1124 will legalize gambling in bars. This is Expansion - NOT Clarification
Gambling expands in increments. When gambling interests wanted to legalize casino gambling in Illinois, they first passed the Riverboat Gambling Act. The bill did not legalize land-based casino, but legalized a limited number of riverboat casinos, and limited the amount of people and the amount of time people could gamble. Over the years, the restrictions were removed. The boats were changed to barges that were permanently docked, and now proposed legislation allows land-based casinos.
HB 1124 will expand gambling in every community statewide. This bill is "foot in the door" legislation that could pave the way for the legalization of electronic gambling devices in bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, convenience stores, etc.. Just as with casino gambling, this type of gambling will expand in increments: first with tournaments on video games then to video poker and electronic gambling devices legalized in statewide.