State revenue from gambling drops

SPRINGFIELD -- A new report from the legislature's Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shows Illinois' riverboat casino tax revenue slumped from $685 million to $564 million during the budget year that ended June 30.

Both the commission and the Illinois Casino Gaming Association say they expect the trend to continue in the coming months.

Some lawmakers, including Democratic Representative Lou Lang of Skokie, say the results should prompt a second look at the ban on smoking in casinos.

Lawmakers approved the smoking ban in virtually all indoor public places last year starting January 1. Almost immediately, casinos complained it was crippling their business.

However, some legislators say the nationwide economic slowdown, along with higher costs for fuel and other goods, are the main culprits in the drop in revenue.