There's a right way to do video poker

Illinois is set to embark on the greatest expansion of gaming in the country-an estimated 45,000 additional video poker machines, making an almost fourfold increase in gaming. The new gaming act creates five new levels of licenses encompassing manufacturers, distributors, terminal operators, technicians, and establishments in which video poker will be played.

In my capacity as an attorney practicing in the gaming field, my position stands in support of strong regulation of any gaming expansion. Having worked closely with the staff of the Illinois Gaming Board for many years and appearing before it on numerous occasions on behalf of riverboat casinos, suppliers and manufacturers, I have experienced firsthand the high degree of diligence and investigation required in connection with the issuance of licenses.

This unprecedented expansion of gaming will put tremendous pressure on the regulatory process. The challenge for all will be to efficiently process each license applicant while maintaining the public trust and confidence in the credibility of the regulatory system. To meet this challenge, the board must receive additional funding from the legislature in order to hire and train additional staff. As recent indictments have shown, regulating video poker machines will take great effort and skill. I have represented the City of Detroit when casinos first arrived to the city. I know from experience that an open and transparent process can be done and Illinois will benefit from the experience.

On a related note, using a portion of the tax revenues generated by existing gaming to support a bond program would provide an immediate benefit to Illinois. The remaining gaming tax revenues would be available to support general government services.

Cezar M. Froelich

Chicago