Court rules casinos must pay surcharge to horse racetracks

SPRINGFIELD -- The state Supreme Court says Illinois' richest casinos must pay part of their profits to horse racetracks.

Four riverboats in the northern part of the state sued over a 2006 law that forced them to share the wealth with a declining racing industry. It required a two-year, three percent surcharge on boats with receipts over $200 million.

A Will County judge agreed that the law was unconstitutional because it didn't apply to five other riverboats in the state.

But a unanimous court has now reversed that opinion.

The tax had been paid under protest.