Lake County gambling machines face hurdles
Illinois’ Lake County video gambling licences in unincorporated areas may be banned in the short-term.
US.- A gambling expansion is in the making in Lake County, but a blow on the industry may be on the way. As legislation gains momentum, officials consider a ban on video gambling terminals in the area.
According to officials leading the push, the county can’t regulate the machines in unincorporated areas. That’s why they are considering to remove the ability to host terminals for liquor licence holders.
According to Sandy Hart, Lake County Board Chairwoman, the change has been discussed with the state’s attorney’s office already. “People say it’s a drop in the bucket, but it’s our bucket,” she was quoted by the Daily Herald. “Whatever we can do.”
The gambling expansion
Illinois has been trying to expand gambling for quite some time, and with the recent election that put J.B. Pritzker in the Governor seat, some lawmakers are confident enough to introduce new legislation to make it happen.
This is why a House Democrat decided to revive a plan that would expand casino gambling in the state by linking it to a popular sports betting measure. Representative Robert Rita obtained on Monday Executive Committee approval to continue with the proposal.
The initiative would pave the way for gambling expansion in Illinois and allow a land-based casino in Chicago and multiple riverboat casinos in locations such as Rockford, Lake County, a south suburb of Chicago, Danville and southern Illinois. Moreover, there would be additional gambling at additional sites, including horse racing tracks, the Chicago Sun Times reports.
