April 13, 2008

Gambling Action Alert

Two Bills to Expand Horse Racing

Sen. John Cullerton has proposed an amendment to SB2099. The bill originally legalized the Lottery on the Internet and will now legalize horse racing on the Internet. SB 2099 will legalize Account Deposit Wagering to allow betting on horses from any location via a telephone-type device or any other electronic means--computer, cell phone, blackberry, etc.

Former Attorney General Jim Ryan issued an opinion on November 2, 2001 that Account Deposit Wagering was illegal in Illinois.

According a February 1, 2008 story in the Chicago Tribune, four of the five racetracks in Illinois have entered into an agreement with Youbet.com to offer account deposit wagering and Internet betting. Last November a subsidiary of Arlington Park's parent company Church Downs, Inc., called TwinSpires.com, bought three online betting companies, took over their advance accounts, and started accepting wagers in Illinois.

If the Legislature passes SB 2099 to legalize Account Deposit Wagering and Internet bets on horse racing, all of the money illegally gambled and held in escrow can be distributed with no legal action taken.

HB 4758 will expand gambling by making the State Fair Racetrack a year-round gambling facility. This would expand the number of racetracks in Illinois and expand the number of Off Track Betting parlors--each racetrack can open 6 Off Track Betting parlors.

For Immediate Action

Call your State Senator (217-782-2000) and ask him/her to vote NO on SB 2099 to legalize Internet gambling and Account Deposit Wagering. This is an expansion of gambling!
Call your State Representative (217-782-2000) and ask him/her to vote NO on HB 4758 to expand gambling on horse racing at the State Fairgrounds and with 6 more Off Track Betting parlors.
Share this Alert with your Church, Synagogue, or Mosque.
Read ILCAAAP's Position Statements on SB 2099 and HB 4758.