Illinois lawmakers are facing pushback from small business owners as the state’s spring legislative session nears its end. Proposals to expand gambling by allowing internet casinos appear to be stalling for now, but one key legislator says the idea isn’t dead yet.
State Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, who has led previous efforts to expand gambling, said that while the clock is ticking, “anything is possible.” He noted that last-minute deals often emerge in the final days of the session, which ends May 31.
Bowling alley owners and other small business operators, however, warn that online casinos could cannibalize revenue from existing video gaming terminals (VGTs). Keith Hamilton of the Illinois State Bowling Proprietors Association said VGTs provide critical funding for local businesses, allowing them to pay employees, keep prices affordable, and reinvest in their facilities.
Bill Brennan, owner of Arena Lanes in Oak Lawn, has lobbied against the proposal in past years and remains concerned. “The state is always looking for new revenue streams, even if it means undermining businesses that have already made significant investments,” he said.
Rita acknowledged the concerns and said lawmakers must carefully weigh the potential benefits of internet casinos against the risks to small businesses. “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,” he said.
Lobbyists on both sides of the issue continue to push their agendas in Springfield. For now, it remains uncertain whether online casinos will become part of Illinois’ gambling landscape or whether small businesses will successfully fend off the expansion.
