Critics of video gambling losing the game

Critics of legalized video gambling in bars and restaurants across the state appear to be on the ropes after facing a major setback in the push to stop the massive expansion approved this summer.

For months opponents have been hanging on to the hope that the Illinois Gaming Board would fail to roll out the slotlike machines for lack of funding. That prospect seemed to vanish last week when lawmakers overwhelmingly approved millions of dollars to hire the staff and investigators needed to review thousands of permits and write reams of rules.

Gov. Pat Quinn has not yet said whether he will sign off on the funding, but he supports the overall expansion of video gambling. Spokesman Bob Reed said Thursday the measure will be "closely reviewed."

Today, anti-gambling groups and government watchdogs plan a blitz at a gaming board hearing on the rules that will dictate how as many as 40,000 so-called video poker machines will be regulated to keep corruption out and protect gambling addicts.

Yet, it remains unclear now exactly how they will impact an expansion that lawmakers are counting on to help fund $31 billion in new and repaired roads, schools and transit.

"We are going to speak out about our concerns," said Anita Bedell, director of the group Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems. "We are going to continue to do what we have been doing."

The effort includes convincing communities and counties to ban the machines within their jurisdiction.

So far, more than two dozen local governments in the state have done just that, including the suburbs of Itasca, East Dundee, Villa Park, Bloomingdale, Libertyville, Buffalo Grove, Elburn, Elmhurst, Kildeer, Mettawa, Naperville, Rosemont and Wheaton. Counties that have banned the machines in unincorporated areas include DuPage, Lake and Cook.

A lack of funding for gambling regulators has created breathing room for critics of the expansion, who were caught off guard when it was approved over the span of just a few days late in the legislature's spring session.

That breathing room is running out, however. Tucked inside a broader spending package lawmakers approved late last week, was another $8 million for the gambling regulators. At least $2.5 million of that is expected to be spent on the video gambling rollout.

The measure passed the General Assembly with virtually no opposition. The only suburban lawmakers to vote against it were state Sens. Dan Duffy of Lake Barrington, Chris Lauzen of Aurora, Randy Hultgren of Winfield Township and Matt Murphy of Palatine. State Rep. Darlene Senger of Naperville didn't vote on the funding and state Reps. Mike Fortner of West Chicago and Sandra Pihos of Glen Ellyn had excused absences.

All the suburban absences or 'no' votes were from Republicans.

Gaming board spokesman Gene O'Shea says regulators received the money they asked for in that legislation. He said the goal is to have video gambling up and running by the end of 2010.

Gambling regulators today will debate an early draft of the rules that will guide that rollout. Illinois has only a handful of states to look to for advice, as few have sanctioned video gambling in liquor-pouring establishments.

The legislation signed by Gov. Pat Quinn this summer allows up to five machines in any liquor-pouring establishments as well as fraternal clubs and truck stops. The machines are expected to collect more than $1 billion in gambling losses, transferring to the state around $400 million to spend on public works projects like new schools and interstate improvements.

Quinn has not said yet whether he will sign off on the additional funding for video gambling regulations, but he does support the overall plan.

The gaming board will conduct the hearing at 9 a.m. today at the Bilandic building, 160 N. LaSalle St., Chicago.