Illinois lawmakers gathered public input on Wednesday about a potential expansion of the state’s gambling industry that could see the construction of up to five new casinos, addition of table games and video gaming at horse racetracks, and expansion of the video gaming machines sector, and could also permit the addition of slot machines at the O’Hare and Midway airports, the Chicago Tribune reported.
A joint session of the House Sales and Other Taxes and Gaming Sub-Committees was held yesterday in Chicago, during which lawmakers and other officials as well as members of the public were asked about their opinion on the proposed gambling expansion in the state. The session was chaired by State Rep. Bob Rita, who is himself a staunch supporter of the move.
The previous wave of gambling expansion in Illinois saw the legalization and addition of video gaming machines in bars, restaurants, and other venues five years ago. According to Rep. Rita, the move has changed significantly the state’s gaming revenue dynamic and overall gaming landscape.
However, lawmakers and members of the public expressed concerns that a new wave of gambling expansion, much larger in scale than the previous one, could result in market oversaturation and cannibalization of gaming revenue by the new gaming options.
The currently discussed Illinois gambling expansion plan first emerged early in 2017 when Senate Bill 7 was introduced. The omnibus gambling legislation called for the addition of five new casinos to the state’s gaming landscape, among other things.
The bill further contained provisions for the addition of video gaming at horse racetracks and of slot machines at the O’Hare and Midway airports, and the expansion of the video gaming machine sector. State lawmakers could not agree on key points in the piece during the previous legislative session and it remained stuck in the legislature.
New Expansion Push
Legislators are now looking to revive the gambling expansion push, arguing that more gaming options around the state could bring projected additional gaming revenue of up to $1 billion.
Under amendments to the original legislative piece, table games and video gaming could be added to horse racetracks, slot machines could be allowed at the O’Hare and Midway airports, and the number of video gaming machines could be raised to six per establishment from five. There were around 30,000 video gaming machines across bars, pubs, and other facilities around the state as of June 30, 2018, official statistics show.
However, expansion opponents pointed out on Wednesday that despite the revenue projections, the move would only bring $12 million in additional tax revenue to the state coffers, which they deem extremely insufficient.
Concerns were also voiced about increased gambling addiction, crime, and marital problems, especially among vulnerable citizens and people with lower-than-average income.
State lawmakers will held a hearing on the legalization of online gambling, sports betting, and fantasy sports on October 17 in Springfield.
