December 10, 2007
Gambling Action Alert
House Democrats Unveil Gambling Expansion Plan -- No bill number yet!
House Speaker Michael Madigan, Rep. Lou Lang, and Rep. Robert Molaro unveiled the House Democrats' massive gambling expansion plan this morning. The bill would create new, independent Gaming and Racing Boards and more than double the amount of casino gambling in Illinois.
- A city-owned casino in Chicago with 4,000 gambling positions
- Competitive bidding for the 10th casino license and an additional casino (11th license) with 1,200 positions--these could be state-owned casinos
- 3,500 additional gambling positions at existing casinos--388 each, which can be located on land. Those not used can be purchased by the other casinos.
- 3,600 video poker or slot machines at racetracks, transforming the racetracks into land-based casinos (Arlington-1,100, Hawthorne-900, Maywood-800, Fairmount-500, Balmoral-300)
- Legalizes Advance Deposit Wagering (ADM), which legalizes Internet gambling on horse racing.
- 5% of the money from the Adjusted Gross Receipts will be allocated to the host community and county for criminal justice and health care costs.
NOTE: There are currently 10,800 gambling positions at 9 casinos in Illinois. The above plan would basically create 13,500 gambling positions at 8 more casinos, plus legalize gambling on the Internet!
For Immediate Action
- Call your State Representative in their district or state office(217-782-2000) and ask them to OPPOSE this massive gambling expansion of gambling which will harm the citizens.
- E-mail or call (800-642-3112) the Governor or and ask him to keep his promise to OPPOSE the massive gambling proposal to expand Video poker, gambling on the Internet, additional casinos, land-based casino in Chicago, and more gambling positions at existing casinos.
- Send the signed petitions you circulated to the District offices of your state Rep. and Senator.
- PRAY and share this Alert with your church, synagogue, or mosque.
- Forward to 10 others.