Video Poker gambling legalized by Illinois Senate
The Illinois state Senate overwhelmingly voted Wednesday to make video poker gambling legal, raise liquor taxes and allow over the Internet lottery wagering. These regulations were passed with the purpose of helping finance a $26 billion statewide construction deal that is supposed to be placed on the desk of Gov. Quinn’s soon enough.
“What would be the first public works program in a decade passed the Senate on a series of bipartisan roll calls and would, according to Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale), end a “decade of decay” that festered on the state’s roads, bridges and public buildings under impeached ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Senate President John Cullerton stated that “The gridlock we’ve been going through for six years has ended,”. John Cullerton carried the package, which taps a combination of federal and state money.
The House still must sign off before it goes to Quinn, but Cullerton assumed that the House will vote to pass it today.
To pay for it, senators voted 47-12 to legalize video poker casino gambling in bars, restaurants, veterans halls and truck stops. The state will tax the machines at a 30 percent rate, raising $375 million annually.
The package includes substantial changes at the state lottery. A pilot program would be established in 2010 that will allow lottery wagering over the net. In addition, managing of the lottery will be turned over to a private firm. Both moves are expected to raise $150 million each year.
