December 11, 2007

Gambling Action Alert

HB 4194 – Massive Gambling Expansion Bill

The House gambling expansion bill is 459 pages long. HB 4194 will be heard in the House Gaming Committee next week on Monday, December 17, at Noon, in Room 114 at the Capitol in Springfield.

HB 4194 also includes 100 Electronic Poker positions at casinos and racetracks, and these are not included in the number of positions alloted for each facility. There is no dealer, so fewer employees are needed for this form of gambling. Poker is played much faster, so gamblers will lose their money faster. HB 4194 will triple the amount of casino gambling in Illinois!

The Chicago Casino Development Authority will have the same powers as a government. The Authority can borrow money, issue bonds, sue in its own name, enter into contracts, enter into intergovernmental agreements with the state, receive and accept gifts from any source, and acquire property by eminent domain. The Chicago Casino Development Authority could use eminent domain or condemn private property and declare it to be for a public use--for a casino. A land-based casino in Chicago with this type of “casino government” is ripe for corruption.

Rep. Bob Molaro commented during the press conference yesterday that 25% ownership would be bid out for public offering to minorities and women. Rep. Molaro said a Legislator or his wife could apply for ownership in the new casinos. Since they would own less than 1% and be considered a stockholder, they would not have to be vetted by the Gaming or Racing Board.

For Immediate Action

Contact your State Representative and Senator in their District office or leave a message at their Springfield office (217-782-2000) and tell them to vote NO on HB 4194, that would triple the amount of casino gambling in Illinois.
Come to the Capitol to testify at the House Gaming Committee hearing at noon on Monday, December 17.
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