VP Coming to Illinois!!!

[rayj]

Thought I'd report this:Illinois Senate legalizes video poker
21 May 2009






SPRINGFIELD,
Illinois -- As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times: "The state Senate
overwhelmingly voted Wednesday to legalize video poker, boost liquor
taxes and allow lottery wagering over the Internet to help support a
$26 billion statewide construction package that is expected to reach
Gov. Quinn's desk.

"What would be the first public works program in a decade passed the
Senate on a series of bipartisan roll calls and would, according to
Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale), end a "decade of decay" that festered
on the state's roads, bridges and public buildings under impeached
ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

"'The gridlock we've been going through for six years has ended,'
said Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago), who carried the
package, which taps a combination of federal and state money.

"The House still must sign off before it goes to Quinn, but Cullerton predicted House passage today.

"To pay for it, senators voted 47-12 to legalize video poker in
bars, restaurants, veterans halls and truck stops. The state will tax
the machines at a 30 percent rate, raising $375 million annually.
"...The package includes big changes at the state lottery. A
pilot program would be established in 2010 to allow lottery wagering
over the Internet. Additionally, management of the lottery would be
turned over to a private firm. Both moves are expected to raise $150
million annually..."

[vidopoker]

kool!
 
can you smoke while playing? (get the reference? kool cigarettes?!) 
 
and lottery over the internet? WOW, that does NOT sound like a good idea for people who have compulsive gambling problems!!

[rayj]

Don't know about smoking...

[Tedlark]

  Sorry to disappoint but there is no smoking allowed in any public building in Illinois at all. For those who don't know, the casinos all installed smoking areas that are seperate from the gaming area. Bars and restaurants all had to do the same thing if they didn't want their patrons smoking outdoors in the rain or cold weather. The no smoking policy has been in effect since January 1, 2008.
 
  There are still several issues before this issue finalized and there is also a limit to the number of machines a business may have in it. There is a maximum of 3 in a bar or restaurant while a VFW Post may have up to 5. Regulation is still not finalized yet either as the Illinois Gaming Board is now scratching their head as to how many extra employees will be needed to monitor all this new gaming. The way it is now there is one Illinois State Policeman assigned to be present at each Illinois Casino (right now there are 9) during their hours of operation.
 
  Illinois, instead of totally revamping gaming regulations, is now trying to put a patch on a tire that allready has 10 patches in it instead of just putting off the inevitable of buyinh a new tire.
 

[rayj]

  Sorry to disappoint but there is no smoking allowed in any public building in Illinois at all. For those who don't know, the casinos all installed smoking areas that are seperate from the gaming area. Bars and restaurants all had to do the same thing if they didn't want their patrons smoking outdoors in the rain or cold weather. The no smoking policy has been in effect since January 1, 2008.
 
  There are still several issues before this issue finalized and there is also a limit to the number of machines a business may have in it. There is a maximum of 3 in a bar or restaurant while a VFW Post may have up to 5. Regulation is still not finalized yet either as the Illinois Gaming Board is now scratching their head as to how many extra employees will be needed to monitor all this new gaming. The way it is now there is one Illinois State Policeman assigned to be present at each Illinois Casino (right now there are 9) during their hours of operation.
 
  Illinois, instead of totally revamping gaming regulations, is now trying to put a patch on a tire that allready has 10 patches in it instead of just putting off the inevitable of buyinh a new tire.
  You will see the number of machines allowed to rise, rather quickly once operations are in place...I see Video Poker parlors in the future.....Nice business to get into if you know somebody for a license....

[Tedlark]

  Illinois will not increase the number of licenses in the near future. They have a pitbull for an Attorney General and she is probably going to run for Governor plus there is still a strong anti gambling lobby group working in the state also. So far Illinois has resisted the urge (or need) to increase the amount of gaming licenses regardless of how much damage the casinos in neighboring states are doing to them.
  Harrahs invested almost 500 million dollars to renovate the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana and this is the closest casino to Illinois. Illinois still requires the casinos to be water based and the recently opened (January 2009) revamped Jumers Casino in Rock Island was required to dig a pond to float the relocated vessel in. The 10th and last gaming license was just recently awarded to a group and they will be locating a casino near O'Hare Airport. This license was tied up in court for approximately the last 9 years and because of this the state lost a few billion in additional projected gaming revenue. It will be 2-3 years before this casino even opens. 
  Illinois casinos are limited in the number of gaming positions (seats) they can have. I believe the number is arounf 1,200 and when you factor in that a craps table has a layout for 14 people 1,200 isn't too many.
 
  Despite the popularity of gaming in Illinois, casino owners and operators are reluctant to position a casino here because the tax rate is the highest in the country. It is near 50% tax on gross receipts. Illinois also has a new Governor and right now there is speculation he may not win when he is up for re-election.
  Sorry to disagree with you but I do not see an expansion of gambling in Illinois for quite a few years.

[rayj]

I realize just about all you said, however I did not mention more licenses.A bar with only 3 VP machines will soon want 3 more...then 3 more....

[Tedlark]

  There will be no jumping up of the number of machines in bars, etc. Illinois would be better served by increasing the number of licenses and the total number of positions that each casino license can accomodate. Indiana has no such barrier as to the number of gaming positions at a casino and that is partly hurting Illinois.