The incoming Governor of Illinois believes expanded gambling could help the state mend an ailing budget and fund a capital bill
J.B. Pritzker, who is taking take an oath as the 43rd Governor of Illinois today, said during a Sunday interview for the Belleville News-Democrat that new casinos and expanded gaming could help the state improve its infrastructure and boost its ailing budget.
This is not the first time that the incoming Governor has indicated that he supports the idea of the addition of new casinos and new gambling options in Illinois. During his campaign last year, he said that sports betting was something the state should consider. He pointed to other states that legalized the practice following the US Supreme Court’s ruling that lifted a federal wagering ban, and that sports gambling proved “a revenue generator” in those states.
The politician said yesterday that “there certainly are opportunities […] to expand casino gaming”
Asked on whether he agreed that there was cannibalization in Illinois’ gambling market, the incoming Governor said that there indeed has been “some cannibalization”, but that selecting the right locations for any new casinos was instrumental to the potential gaming expansion.
Casino Expansion Plans and Capital Bill
Mr. Pritzker said yesterday that “where you put a casino matters to how many dollars might flow” to places that have not seen dollars flow before. He further dwelt on that if casino expansion is approved by state legislators, gambling venues should be located in places near the state border to keep gambling money within Illinois.
According to the state’s new highest ranking official, new casinos could help fund a potential capital bill. Discussions for the introduction of the piece of legislation have begun last fall and Mr. Pritzker has been among the heavy campaigners supporting the move. The bill would fund construction and repair projects for what many have been referring to as the state’s crumbling infrastructure.
Illinois’ new Governor said yesterday that he would look to secure enough money for roads outside Chicago, Cook County, and the collar counties.
Casino expansion in the state has been a topic that has emerged during every legislative session in recent years. Under the most recent effort, a sweeping gambling overhaul bill would have allowed for the addition of up to six casinos around Illinois, including one in Chicago. The push failed to gain traction in the Legislature.
The city’s outgoing Mayor, Rahm Emanuel, revealed late last year that he would make one last push to bring a casino to the Windy City. The official has lobbied for a gambling venue for several years, seeking much-needed revenue for the city’s pension system.
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