Illinois one of the first states
to eye Online Gambling after UIGEA
Illinois Democrats debating online
gambling to finance its health care system and education
woes.
As proposed, the state would legalize and license
bookies to take horse racing bets over the phone or
Internet. Horse tracks would be able to create electronic
poker networks that could allow people to gamble online
from their homes.
The
general concept of bringing in more money for the
state by expanding licensed gambling - a back-burner
topic in Springfield for months now - is suddenly
being talked about as a foregone conclusion, after
the recent collapse of several tax plans.
Pressure
to come up with new money is intense this month, with
the Legislature's adjournment deadline of May 31 approaching.
If the Democratic-controlled Legislature hasn't passed
a budget by then for the next fiscal year, a constitutional
provision kicks in that will require a three-fifths
vote for any bill to pass… making any agreement
that much more difficult to reach.
Anita Bedell of Illinois Church Action on Alcohol
& Addiction Problems, which opposes gaming expansion.
"
said anti-gambling activists are frustrated that so
many lawmakers appear to have accepted the premise
that gaming is the only place left to raise any new
money this year. "It's being put out there as
the only option ... but it's not the best solution,''
she said.
Chicago
Democrats - met privately Thursday in budget negotiations.
Those talks are expected to continue.
The
recently passed UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling
Act) Created carve outs for states to expand certain
domestic online gambling such as horse betting, fantasy
sports and lotteries Online.
