June 8, 2007
Status of Gambling Bills
Mega Gambling Expansion Bill - House Bill 25
HB 25 expands the number of casinos in Illinois from 9 to 14 and includes a land-based, city-owned casino in Chicago, and three additional casinos for Waukegan, South Suburbs, and near O'Hare Airport. A revoked casino license could go to Rockford or downstate. The number of gambling positions would expand five-fold from 10,800 to 49,500!
This bill legalizes Account Deposit Wagering, which legalizes horse racing on the Internet. People could place bets and lose their house while betting from their home! County Fairs would be given grant to rent equipment so people could bet on horse races.
The bill violates federal law by legalizing electronic poker over the Internet at casinos. Electronic (video) poker machines are called the "Crack cocaine of gambling" due to the speed at which people become addicted.
ACTION: Call your State Representative (217-782-2000) and ask him/her to vote NO on HB 25. Call the Governor (800-642-3112) and ask him to oppose HB 25.
Video Gambling in Bars - House Bill 1124
HB 1124 legalizes gambling on video games in bars. This bill allows people to win money on video game contests or tournaments between two or more people. While the bill states that card games are not included, this type of gambling will expand in increments until video poker and all electronic gambling machines are legalized in every community. Research has shown that gamblers take more risks and play longer when they are drinking.
HB 1124 will result in windfall profits for machine owners and retail liquor establishments and no revenue to the state. Gamblers in Illinois will expect a "payout" on all video machines in bars. It will be impossible to police these establishments to determine if there is illegal gambling. Organized crime and money laundering are real concerns.
ACTION: Call the Governor (800-642-3112) and ask him to VETO House Bill 1124.
Scratch-Off Lottery Tickets for Charities
Senate Bill 764 and Senate Bill 774
Voters approved the Lottery over 30 years ago, to help fund education. Senate Bills 764 and 774 would decrease funding to education by using the money from these scratch off Lottery tickets to fund HIV/AIDS (SB 774) and Multiple Sclerosis (SB 764). Only 27% of the money will go to the charities, the rest will be used for prizes and administrative expenses.
People who have never bought a Lottery ticket might feel compelled to do so if they know people who suffer from these diseases. The Lottery is a regressive tax. The state should not encourage people to gamble.
ACTION: Call the Governor (800-642-3112) and ask him to VETO Senate Bills 764 and 774.
Expansion of Gambling Positions at Casinos - House Bill 4112
Speaker Mike Madigan and Rep. Tom Cross introduced a bill on the last day of the Legislative Session to expand the number of gambling positions at the casinos. The bill would add 6,000 gaming positions, in blocks of 250 each, for a competitive bidding process. ANY person could bid and be awarded the positions, regardless of whether they own a casino. The gambling positions would then be leased to the casinos within 2 years or their money would be refunded, up to $100,000 per position. Revenue would be used for building projects, with 1% of the money going to horse racing.
ACTION: Call your Representative (217-782-2000) and ask him/her to vote NO on HB 4112.