Illinois lawmakers discussed sports betting
Lawmakers in the Prairie State gathered yesterday to discuss whether Illinois should allow sports betting if the national ban gets lifted.
US.- Senators in Illinois met on Tuesday to discuss whether the state should allow sports betting if the federal ban gets lifted by the US Supreme Court. While there were no votes on the subject, a Senate panel heard testimony at the Bilandic Building.
The proposal was presented by Democratic State Senator Napoleon Harris, a former NFL linebacker from Harvey. The legislative piece would allow casinos in Illinois to place bets on amateur, professional and college sports and also have an online platform where they would accept bets. The online service would be limited to state residents.
Chris Grove, managing director of Eilers and Krejcik Gaming LLC, estimated that approximately US$680 million is spent every year on sports betting in the state, both through land and online sites. A 10 per cent tax on those bets would generate US$68 million in state revenue.
Tom Swoik, a lobbyist with the Illinois Casino Gaming Association, said: “If the taxes and these fees that are paid to operate sports books are so high, then the payouts can’t be as high as sometimes what’s being paid out in illegal betting. People are still going to continue to do the illegal betting because they can get a higher payout.”
