March 3, 2008
Oppose HB 4758
Expansion of Horse Racing at State Fairgrounds
- HB 4758 expands gambling on horse racing at the State Fairgrounds from 2 weeks to up to 9 months a year.
- HB 4758 paves the way for a land-based casino in Springfield if electronic gambling machines are legalized for race tracks. This could allow gambling at the racetrack 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
- HB 4758 opens the door for Account Deposit Wagering, which legalizes gambling on horses on the Internet, over cell phones, blackberries, etc.
- Voters in Sangamon County do not want any expansion of gambling without a vote of the people. (In 1994 over 90% of voters approved a referendum asking for a vote before gambling expanded in Sangamon County.)