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Gambling legislation changes to try to help existing casinos

SPRINGFIELD — Thanks in part to suburban Republican support, a plan to allow for slot machines at Arlington Park and five new Illinois casinos cleared a preliminary hurdle in the state House Wednesday.

Changes to the legislation approved Monday by a House committee attempt to take into account that thousands of new slot machines in the Chicago area could mean big problems for existing casinos, including the Grand Victoria in Elgin and the soon-to-be casino in Des Plaines.

The changed legislation gives existing casinos a small tax break on some revenues if they continue to drop and a lower tax rate on table games, for example.

Other changes include putting 75 percent of the money the casinos generate upfront toward the state's billions of dollars in unpaid bills. And before the Illinois Gaming Board begins licensing casinos, it would have to finish regulating a law allowing video gambling in bars that was approved a year and a half ago.

Rep. Lou Lang, a Skokie Democrat and the legislation's sponsor, said more casinos mean more jobs and money for the state. The new facilities would be located in Park City, Chicago, the South suburbs, Rockford and downstate Danville.

Still, existing casinos continue to oppose the gambling plan, arguing that they've already seen huge revenue losses because of the state's indoor smoking ban and flagging economy.

“Our losses in the last three years are among the highest in the nation,” said Illinois Casino Gaming Association Executive Director Tom Swoik, who represents the Grand Victoria, among other casinos.

A House committee approved the gambling legislation by an 8-3 vote, which included support from Republican Reps. Ed Sullivan of Mundelein, Mike Tryon of Crystal Lake, and Bob Biggins of Elmhurst. It could now face a full House vote later this week or early next week.

It would still need Senate approval and a signature from Gov. Pat Quinn, too.

“It's been a long process,” said Arlington Park spokesman Thom Serafin. “There's still a long way to go.”

Supporters say that slots at racetracks such as Arlington could help the state's suffering horse racing industry.

But Anita Bedell, executive director of Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems, said tracks with slot machines would be open for business even when horses aren't running.

“People do not go there to gamble on the horses,” Bedell said. “They go to gamble on the slots.”