Video Poker
On July 13, 2009, Governor Quinn signed into law the largest capital bill in Illinois history. Although the bill (HB 2424) included funding for many critical projects, it also legalized video poker machines in bars and restaurants.
In this scenario, when you say "the house always wins," we are talking about the state of Illinois. My concerns not only surround the legalities of the regulations. We need to look seriously at all the costs - social, law enforcement, legal - and make sure that those profiting from the expansion of gaming do not shift these heavy burdens to taxpayers and communities. I successfully worked with my fellow Commissioners on the Cook County Board to ban video poker from unincorporated Cook County and will continue to help other jurisdictions who are interested in passing a ban.
In January 2011, the Illinois Appellate Court overturned Governor Quinn's bill. I don't think this is going to be the end of the debate on video poker by any mean, but I think it will be a lot harder for it to pass on its own, mean not included in the bill with liquor and candy taxes, for example.
Subscribe to this feed
