Gaming board head blasts expansion bill
SPRINGFIELD — The top Illinois gambling regulator is criticizing legislation to expand wagering as poorly written and difficult to enforce.
Illinois Gaming Board Chairman Aaron Jaffe said at a public meeting Tuesday that the board’s staff would have to be doubled to enforce laws governing five new casinos, slot machines at horse racing tracks and other provisions in the bill awaiting action by Gov. Pat Quinn.
“You can’t make perfume out of a pile of garbage,” Jaffe said.
He said the measure would usurp regulatory power from the Gaming Board and make blur lines of jurisdiction with other enforcers. He said expansion would “cannibalize” existing casino business.
Quinn has called the bill “top heavy” but signaled he might accept a casino in Chicago.