In Collinsville, Illinois, the 90th season of horseracing recently opened at Fairmount Park, while in Springfield, lawmakers and lobbyists are again seeking legislation to allow slots at Fairmount and the state’s four other tracks. Arkansas, Indiana and Iowa have racinos and as a result are able to award significantly higher purses than Illinois tracks.
Fairmount Park President Brian Zander said, “Here’s the problem: My maiden race goes for $12,000 and the one in Arkansas goes for $25,000, and it’s the same horse. What’s the difference? In Arkansas they have a casino and they just have other forms of gaming, and that’s really what we’re competing with.”
State Rep. Robert Rita is sponsoring a gaming expansion bill, similar to the one he brought last year. The bill includes a Chicago casino, which has long been desired by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel who is seeking re-election. Former Governor Pat Quinn vetoed two previous gambling expansion bills.
However, lobbyist Lanny Brooks, executive director of the Illinois Horseman’s Benevolent and Protective Association, believes Governor Bruce Rauner would sign a gaming expansion if it reaches his desk. “Yes, as opposed to Pat Quinn, Governor Rauner has said he is okay on gambling, although he is not a gambler,” Brooks said. In a recent statement, Rauner’s press secretary Catherine Kelly said, “Governor Rauner believes decisions on gambling should be done in close consultation with the local communities.” Noted Brooks, “That’s when you will see things moving in Springfield.”
Zander said an expansion of gaming would provide desperately needed revenue in Illinois and allow the state’s racetracks to reinvest as other Midwestern states have done. “The state is in terrible shape and so I would think at some point, particularly with the new administration, that it appears at least at this point to not want to rely as much on taxes. We think, generally, there might be an opportunity for expanded gaming as a way to fill that gap.”
