Proposals to expand Illinois’ gambling laws to allow internet casinos are facing resistance as the spring legislative session nears its end, but some lawmakers say there’s still a chance it could happen. State Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, a key figure in previous gambling expansions, noted that with just days left before adjournment, “anything is possible.”
The push for online casinos has sparked a fierce debate in Springfield. Bowling alley owners and local businesses warn that adding internet casinos would cannibalize revenue from video gaming terminals, which have become a lifeline for small establishments. Keith Hamilton of the Illinois State Bowling Proprietors Association said revenue from video gaming supports bowling centers across the state by helping pay employees, keeping prices low, and improving facilities.
Bill Brennan, owner of Arena Lanes in Oak Lawn, Illinois, said bowling alleys have successfully lobbied in past years to keep internet casino bills from advancing, but worries that the state’s hunger for new tax revenue will eventually override concerns about small businesses. “They’re going to cannibalize a revenue stream that’s already been invested in by the private sector and the public sector as well,” Brennan warned.
Rep. Rita acknowledged that there are powerful lobbying efforts on both sides of the issue, and stressed the need for lawmakers to fully understand the consequences before moving forward. “We need to look at it very closely and see what causes and effects it actually has, not just looking at, well, we could raise money,” Rita said.
The Illinois legislature is set to adjourn May 31. Whether the online casino proposal gains traction before then remains to be seen.
