Opinion

Gambling expansion unfair to Des Plaines

Posted June 03, 2011 12:00 am

Let’s see if I have this correct. When one places a bet on a horse race, he is wagering. When one places a bet in a casino, he is gambling. Hmmm.

If Arlington Park is allowed to build a casino, the profits will be devoted mostly to multimillionaires remaining multimillionaires, with Arlington Heights and its businesses continuing to receive a handsome payout from the track/casino.

Under current law, profits from Des Plaines’ Rivers Casino will be shared with many other municipalities, and the casino is required pay the state of Illinois $10 million per year for 30 years. The remaining revenue produced by the Rivers Casino would be devoted to improvements to benefit all citizens. If Arlington gets the slots and gambling in Illinois is expanded, leveling the playing field for Des Plaines is definitely in order.

Richard J. Piagari

Des Plaines

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