The State Journal-Register – Senate President John Cullerton said Wednesday that legalizing Internet gambling in Illinois could provide the state with needed revenue, although passing the bill will be difficult.
The Chicago Democrat, who has pushed for online gambling for two years, said it could become part of gambling expansion talks that are already underway at the Capitol.
“I’ve been supportive of this ever since we found out from the Justice Department we could do this,” Cullerton said following a short Senate committee hearing on the issue. “The point is people are already gambling, and we’re not making any of the money. There are other states that are just getting started that are bringing in some money. So that may play a role in it when we try to pass a budget.”
Cullerton acknowledged, though, that maneuvering Internet gambling through the thicket of competing gambling interests will be difficult.
“I support it, but there’s a lot of complications as to how it affects the existing gaming industry,” Cullerton said. “That seems to be where the hang-up might be right now. Whenever you have a gaming bill, the other people who are in the gambling industry, whether it be horse racing or existing casinos, they want to be at the table.”
The Senate Executive Committee Wednesday heard from the Poker Players Alliance, an organization that urged Illinois to adopt Internet gambling.
“PPA stands in strong support of (Cullerton’s) effort,” said PPA executive director John Pappas. “Any effort to regulate Internet poker should not be viewed as an expansion of gambling in Illinois.” Pappas said Illinois gamblers already have access to online poker, casino games and sports betting. “Regulation simply would mean corralling the current unregulated marketplace,” he said.
So far, Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey have authorized Internet poker. Some analysts believe Illinois could gain $500 million annually in gross gaming revenue, Pappas said.
Anita Bedell of the Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems warned that Internet gambling will only lead to more problem gamblers. “Making gambling more accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, will make it easier for people to gamble and lose their money,” Bedell said. “There are more than enough opportunities to gamble in Illinois.”
