August 8, 2007

Gambling Update

No Vote on Gambling Today - Bill Introduced for Internet Lottery

The House and Senate have both adjourned for today without passing a gambling bill. The House Appropriations Committees will meet at 5:00 today to discuss operations budgets for state agencies. A capital plan to fund road, school and other construction projects is not part of the hearings, reported Copley News.

When the session goes into overtime, there is always the danger that more gambling legislation will be introduced. That is what happened today.

Rep. Angelo "Skip" Saviano introduced HB 4128 to legalize Lottery sales on the Internet. HB 4128 would allow a private Internet agent to offer Lottery games on the Internet and expand the types of games without legislative approval-Keno, Video Lottery. Teens-- 18 years of age and older--could set up an account by registering online. The Lottery is directed to set up a method by which people who have set up an account are allowed to purchase tickets by using public or private computer terminals (public libraries?) or other electronic devices or means.

We must keep the calls going to state Legislators and the Governor.

For Immediate Action

1. Call your State Representative (217-782-2000), State Senator(217-782-2000), and the Governor (800-642-3112) and tell them NO MORE GAMBLING!
2. Share this Alert with your church, synagogue, mosque, or prayer group and ask them to make calls.

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