June 2, 2009

Gambling Action Alert

Call the Governor to Veto Video Poker Machines and Internet Gambling

The Legislative Session ended early Monday morning. Lawmakers did not complete their work to balance the State budget, but they did manage to pass gambling bills in both chambers.

The House passed SB 1595 Saturday evening to allow Off Track Betting parlors near day care centers and colleges. This bill will go to the Governor.
The Senate passed SB 744 Saturday evening to allow 4 land-based casinos in Chicago, Rockford, Danville, and Park City, slot machines at race tracks, and additional gambling positions at casinos. The bill was not called for a vote in the House.
The Senate voted to approve SB 1298 to legalize Account Deposit Wagering, which legalizes Internet bets on horse racing. This bill will go to the Governor.
The House and Senate voted unanimously on HB 2424, a 200 page trailer bill that made changes to video poker and Internet Lottery (HB 255). Held before going to the Governor.

What can you do? Go on the offensive

Call (800-642-3112) or e-mail the Governor and ask him to keep his promise to voters and VETO SB 1298 - Internet gambling on horse racing, SB 1595 - OTB near day care centers and colleges, and VETO Video Poker machines and Internet Lottery out of HB 255 and HB 2424.
Contact your Mayor and City Council members and ask them to pass a local ordinance to prohibit video gambling machines in your community.
Write a Letter to the Editor using the talkling points below and comments from Mayors.
Share this Alert with your church, synagogue, or mosque.

Talking Points

HB 255 and HB 2424 will create "mini casinos" in every community in Illinois. Electronic gambling devices account for 87% of the revenue at Illinois casinos. Video gambling machines are called the "crack cocaine" of gambling because of the speed of play and the rapid onset of addiction.

There are no safeguards to prevent children from gambling on the Internet (SB 1298 - Internet horse racing and HB 255/HB 2424 - Internet Lottery). Teens are computer savvy and know how to get around these restrictions. Anyone 18 and older can gamble on the lottery and horse racing.

Gambling is an unstable source of revenue. "The State cannot gamble itself to prosperity." Gov. Quinn