Several proposals to legalize sports betting and expand video gambling have been floated in the Illinois legislature’s current session, which will end May 31. Also pending are measures to allow video slot machines at horseracing tracks and add more casino licenses. Governor J.B. Pritzker’s proposed budget will have a $300 million gap without some kind of gambling expansion.
Meanwhile, neighboring states are moving forward with expanded gambling, worrying Illinois legislators, gambling interests, casino-seeking communities and others.
For example, in Wisconsin, the Ho-Chunk Nation is planning a casino and resort in Beloit, just 30 minutes north of Rockford, Illinois. Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said that he has “literally been going down to Springfield for the past 25 years” asking legislators to expand gambling to his city so it can build a casino. “There’s an “incredible sense of urgency, “McNamara said.
In Indiana, Governor Eric Holcomb recently signed a bill approving sports betting and new casinos in Gary, just 30 miles from downtown Chicago, and Terre Haute, which borders several east-central Illinois communities. And Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds recently signed a bill legalizing sports betting and fantasy sports.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee allowed a sports betting bill to become law without his signature. And Missouri legislators have proposed gambling expansion and a measure that could allow thousands of video gambling machines across the state.
Within Illinois, Chicago Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot said she supports a city-run casino and is open to allowing video gambling in Chicago. Rockford officials placed full-page newspaper ads urging Lightfoot to team with them for a “stronger chance” for casinos in both communities. Danville’s mayor also has lobbied for years for a casino and Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham said a site for a casino in his city is “shovel-ready.”
The same day several hundred people marched near the Springfield capitol to oppose higher taxes on video gambling terminals, the Bet on Main Street Coalition held a news conference claiming the current tax rate is adequate and raising it would hurt small businesses. Coalition officials said the industry has paid $1.5 billion in taxes since video gambling machines went live in 2012.
