Illinois Gambling and Online Casinos – State of the State – Chicago
The gaming industry in Illinois was in the national headlines for much of 2012 due to the constant imminence of bills in the legislature that would all ultimately put a casino in Chicago. Currently, there are nine casinos in the state, all of which are housed on riverboats.
The Illinois House and Senate have created several bills that would add casinos in majorly populated areas of the state. Governor Pat Quinn, however, has remained opposed to broad expansion of gambling, and has vetoed or threatened to veto several bills that have been passed.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been a proponent of a new casino in Chicago, one of the most heavily populated areas of Illinois, but his endorsement has not swayed Governor Quinn. The governor did claim when he vetoed the latest legislation that he would work with Emanuel on finding common ground on the issue.
With land-based casinos still a pipe dream, online gambling is no closer to a reality in Illinois either. Legislators have passed a bill allowing electronic pull-tab machines, and individual municipalities have been able to opt-out of the law. Dozens of local jurisdictions have taken that opt-out clause, while other areas currently allow the electronic pull-tabs.
Illinois has the highest tax rates in the nation for its casinos, taking 50% of each casino’s winnings.
Latest Illinois Casino Gambling News
Stay up to date with the latest news related to online gambling, casinos, and poker in Illinois …
Illinois lawmakers have come up with a new plan for gambling expansion in the state, and the new bill includes an allowance for online gambling.
Governor Pat Quinn, fresh off vetoing gambling expansion earlier this week, asserted that it could still be a key in helping education and pension costs in Illinois.
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn will finally have his say with a 2011 gambling expansion bill that has been stayed in the Illinois Senate for over a year.
Governor Pat Quinn offered one final lifeline for proponents of gambling expansion in Illinois when he said he would sign a bill if funds were earmarked for education.
Gambling proponents were turned away again in Illinois Tuesday when Governor Pat Quinn vetoed a bill that would have brought a casino to Chicago.
