Push To Expand Video Gambling Comes As Industry Continues To Grow
From the Carbondale Southern Illinoisan
When it comes to video gambling, the majority of the most lucrative sites in Illinois are bars or restaurants.
But that could change under a proposal to allow truck stops to have twice as many video gaming machines as other establishments.
Under the state's new video gambling law, bars, restaurants, truck stops and fraternal organizations can operate a maximum of five machines as a way to generate cash for state construction projects.
A Rockford lawmaker's plan to allow 10 machines at truck stops was endorsed by a Senate panel last week and now heads to the full Senate for further debate.
Republican state Sen. Dave Syverson said adding machines at truck stops could pull in more revenue from out-of-state drivers.
"What happens is the truckers come and park at the stops for long periods of times, but the stops are only allowed five machines. So you have 50, 60 truckers there and only five machines to use," Syverson said. "So, truckers get frustrated, and some will go to other states where there’s a lot more games and instead of staying in Illinois, they’ll just go to Iowa, fill up, and then drive right through the state."
While figures show bars and restaurants are dominating the top 25 most lucrative video gambling sites, truck stops are holding their own.
Read more in our daily News Update...
From the Carbondale Southern Illinoisan
When it comes to video gambling, the majority of the most lucrative sites in Illinois are bars or restaurants.
But that could change under a proposal to allow truck stops to have twice as many video gaming machines as other establishments.
Under the state's new video gambling law, bars, restaurants, truck stops and fraternal organizations can operate a maximum of five machines as a way to generate cash for state construction projects.
A Rockford lawmaker's plan to allow 10 machines at truck stops was endorsed by a Senate panel last week and now heads to the full Senate for further debate.
Republican state Sen. Dave Syverson said adding machines at truck stops could pull in more revenue from out-of-state drivers.
"What happens is the truckers come and park at the stops for long periods of times, but the stops are only allowed five machines. So you have 50, 60 truckers there and only five machines to use," Syverson said. "So, truckers get frustrated, and some will go to other states where there’s a lot more games and instead of staying in Illinois, they’ll just go to Iowa, fill up, and then drive right through the state."
While figures show bars and restaurants are dominating the top 25 most lucrative video gambling sites, truck stops are holding their own.
Read more in our daily News Update...