Illinois to allow slots in veterans establishments

Illinois lawmakers are pushing a bill that would allow veterans organisations to install slots in communities where gambling is banned.

US.- Slot machines could reach new establishments in Illinois after state lawmakers proposed a bill to allow veterans organisations to install them in all of their premises. The Video Gaming Act was designed to authorise the operation of gambling machines in communities that don’t allow gambling under current laws.

Senator Terry Link is the bill’s sponsor and assured that the proposed legislation would financially help the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars as their memberships continue to decrease over time.

However, some local leaders are standing up against the bill as they consider it to be an intrusion on local control. Still, the Senate approved the proposal last week and sent it to the Rules Committee, where it will be further discussed before going to the House for the final vote to get signed into Law.

Veterans organisations operate video gambling machines in some districts and, according to the State Gaming Board records, the Huntley American Legion Post 673 made more than US$116,700 from video gambling which was used to renovate their facilities.