Illinois Lawmakers Have A New Bill That Would Include Online Gambling

Illinois lawmakers have been spurned several times by Governor Pat Quinn in their attempt to expand the gaming industry in Illinois. This session, the legislators are back with a revamped bill that addresses the governor’s concerns, but also allows for online gambling regulations.

It is always a give and take when lawmakers begin to negotiate through legislative proposals. Governor Quinn has vetoed two gaming bills over the past several years, claiming that each had its own faults. The governor’s two main concerns were the amount of gambling expansion, and the oversight of the industry.

Lawmakers addressed both concerns in their latest bill. They also added the allowance for online casinos, something that was not in the previous two bills. Governor Quinn has been lukewarm to the idea of online gambling, and it is not yet known whether he has come around to the idea.

“The governor has not been the biggest supporter of Internet gambling in the past,” said Gaming Analyst Ryan Brand. “That does not mean he hasn’t changed his mind, but I don’t see anything that points to him suddenly passing online gambling legislation.”

The biggest obstacle, according to the governor, to online gambling is the lack of control regulators would have over the industry. Quinn has pointed to the uncertainty of the industry as a cause for concern in entering the market.

Those concerns are similar to the ones held by legislators in Nevada, Delaware, and New Jersey, all of which have since passed online gambling laws. As the industry comes to the forefront in the US, regulators in other countries have given a blueprint for how to regulate the industry.

Whether or not online gambling is included, Illinois residents are getting restless with the lack of movement on bringing new casinos to the state.

“We have been waiting for over three years for new casinos,” said Chicago resident Bill Baltor. “Our mayor has been pushing for a new casino in Chicago, and us residents want a casino here. I just wish they would finally come up with a plan to move this thing forward.”

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has publicly asked Governor Quinn and lawmakers to add a new casino in Chicago. Emanuel believes that a casino in the city would alleviate a large amount of financial stress on Chicago.