* The Tribune’s latest poll has a plurality of Illinoisans opposing the gaming expansion bill that Gov. Quinn recently vetoed…
The survey results show growing opposition to new casinos and video slots at horse racing tracks, contrasting sharply with a similar poll conducted in February. The latest poll findings also appear to show that voters back Gov. Pat Quinn’s decision to veto the legislature’s latest gambling expansion bill in August.
Lawmakers have twice approved measures to allow five new gambling palaces for Chicago, Rockford, Danville, the south suburbs and Park City in Lake County, but Quinn has raised many concerns to block the measures.
The poll found 47 percent oppose the gambling expansion plan, while 43 percent approve of it. Those numbers are turned around from February, when a survey showed 50 percent of voters statewide approved of the gambling expansion plan while 42 percent disapproved.
In the new survey, almost half of Chicago residents, 49 percent, opposed the gambling expansion proposal, while 40 percent supported it.
Respondents were not told what the money from expanded gaming would be used for, but whatever. It is what it is.
* Graphics…
* Meanwhile, as Penn National fights against gaming expansion and slots at tracks to protect its Joliet and St. Louis casinos, the company is making the exact opposite argument in Maryland…
Election Day – Nov. 6 – could very well be doomsday for a Maryland horse racing establishment.
That’s how officials of Rosecroft Raceway see it. They predict that if voters approve the referendum on expansion of gaming in the state, it will mean the demise of the 63-year-old raceway.
Karen Bailey, director of public affairs for Penn National Gaming [PNG], owner of Rosecroft, said that they’re being squeezed out of consideration to develop a new casino in Prince George’s County if the measure passes, which will likely force the track to close.
“Rosecroft is not going to have a fair shot,” said Bailey. “In order for us to stay open, we need to add gaming.”
* And President Preckwinkle wants to tax video poker machines…
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is interested in introducing a special gambling tax on video poker and slot machines, to the tune of $800 per machine, as part of her larger budget proposal this week, the Sun-Times has learned.
In a brief phone call with the Sun-Times, Preckwinkle confirmed that she’s examining a gambling tax, including on the poker machines, but declined to provide specifics beyond that. […]
Zack Stamp, a lobbyist for the Illinois Coin Machine Operators Association, had no problem commenting on such a proposal.
“I don’t know if they can legally do that,” said Stamp.
“These businesses have made a substantial investment in this equipment with an understanding somewhat of what the tax target is going to be, but if you’re going to come back in and lop something like this on top of them, it’s just another hurdle to get a return on their investment,” said Stamp.
* Lou…
State Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, a champion of gambling expansion, also said he was surprised.
“I find it ironic that the same County Board that prohibited video gaming in unincorporated areas of the county has decided to make some money off of the video gaming devices where they can’t prohibit them,” Lang said. “I find it unusual and interesting.”
Lang said he was most concerned that an additional $800 charge per machine could eat into additional revenue bars and restaurants would use to improve their businesses and hire more employees.
“This additional tax on games might have a chilling effect on economic growth and jobs within Cook County,” Lang said.
* Related…
* September revenue dips 1 percent at St. Louis area casinos: Casino Queen in East St. Louis saw its revenue fall 5.5 percent last month to $10.3 million compred with September 2011. The Casino Queen’s revenue had risen 8 percent in August 2012 compared to the prior year’s month. Argosy Alton saw its September revenue fall 5.1 percent to $5.6 million compared with the same month last year. Argosy’s revenue had risen 9 percent in August compared with August 2011.
* New video gambling machines start to go live at area businesses
* Video Poker Collection Timeline Unclear: The Illinois Gaming Board says it’s also processing applications from more than 2,200 businesses interested in running video poker machines.
* Geneseo Puts Video Gaming On Ballot; Others Already Rolling Dice
* Some win, some lose, some come for the pizza
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 11:53 am:
–“I find it ironic that the same County Board that prohibited video gaming in unincorporated areas of the county has decided to make some money off of the video gaming devices where they can’t prohibit them,” Lang said. “I find it unusual and interesting.”–
If you mix “ironic,” “unusual,” and “interesting” together, do you get “hypocritical?”
- Pat Collins - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 12:01 pm:
Respondents were not told what the money from expanded gaming would be used for,
“All the lottery money will go to education”
“Once the Northwest tollway is paid for, the tolls will be removed”
So do we think it would matter what it’s SAID the money would go for?
- Loop Lady - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 12:17 pm:
A lousy way to raise revenue IMHO, and in this economy, pretty irresponsible and unaffordable to boot.
I really hate Vegas and the whole gambling in your face 24 hours a day culture that permeates it from the time you set foot in the airport when you arrive, to the time you leave on the plane out.
Can’t Chicago be classier than that? I hope so.
I side with Quinn on this issue. Put them if you must in the burbs or near WI/IN line if you fear lost revenue to neighboring states.
- CircularFiringSquad - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 12:26 pm:
Looks like the poll “reversal” is close to being in the margin of error. Hmmmm?
This was the same poll that exposed the Tribbies failure to get everyone to know Madigan enough so they could hate as much as the Tribbies who are still smarting from their “pristine” name being used in the Blagoof impeachment hearing and trial?
- Anonymous - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 12:28 pm:
The Trib is correct: And Quinn should follow their lead and stop any expansion. After all we should be good neighbors and allow Wisconsin and Indiana to continue reaping huge gaming taxes off the backs of Illinois gamblers..We really dont need the extra money in the State coffers from expansion, Christ, we have too much cash now..
- Shore - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 12:52 pm:
Just a memo to the rest of the state, there isn’t a single person from skokie who approves of gaming who actually wants their state rep focused on this issue ever, but that’s the approach springfield democrats take. I enjoyed the tribunes smack at terry link this morning over his efforts on gaming in another part of the state which would also like its leadership focused on more important issues. Focus on generating revenue and jobs in a way that actually benefits the community.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 12:55 pm:
===there isn’t a single person from skokie who approves of gaming who actually wants their state rep focused on this issue ever===
And you know this how?
- doug dobmeyer - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 12:57 pm:
The poll is no surprise to me or any not in the gambling bag. 23 years of opposing state spomsored has taught me right from wrong and reaffirmed my Democratic values my Dad taught me…keep your hand out of your neighbor’s pockets!
- x ace - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 1:04 pm:
Think some Cities have long taxed machines ( often be means of a Stamp or Sticker required to be on the machine and current}.
So surprised that Machine Operators and Rep. Lang are surprised. ( except maybe by $800 amount)
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 1:16 pm:
I have to agree with CFS here. These numbers just don’t scream “dramatic reversal of position” or whatever Rick Pearson called it on WGN last night. A change within the MoE could be no change at all.
I probably should qualify my comment to note that I agree with CFS’ first sentence. When I finish diagramming the second one to figure out his point, I’ll get back to you.
- Climax - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 1:37 pm:
Chicago can’t afford class any more, Loop Lady.
- Plutocrat03 - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 1:56 pm:
here we go with the silliness of describing gaming expansion as economic development.
While tax receipts rise, the ancillary businesses erode and at best it is a wash.
Atlantic City would be heaven if gaming was the development panacea proponents promise.
That said, give Chicago it’s casino and stop there. The taxpayers cannot afford more gaming development.
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 2:13 pm:
–The taxpayers cannot afford more gaming development.–
What do you mean? It’s private development and another entertainment option.
What can’t the taxpayers “afford?” Are they on the hook for something?
There’s no lack of gambling options in Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin and Michigan.
- Bill - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 2:24 pm:
==“This additional tax on games might have a chilling effect on economic growth and jobs within Cook County,”==
Lou is channeling Mitt Romney now?
- Plutocrat03 - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 2:27 pm:
Taxpayers are on the hook for reduced revenues from the non-gaming options. Discretionary money gets hoovered up from a market by the gaming interests leaving a much smaller piece of the pie for the remaining businesses.
The only benefit is that if the gaming brings in enough outside revenue from tourists who would not otherwise visit that market. e.g. Las Vegas.
Of course it is the government that has to pick up the increased social costs related to the gaming industries operations.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 3:01 pm:
“Respondents were not told what the money from expanded gambling would be used for…”
Yeah. What good is being told a lie when you can’t tell the lie in the best way?
“Don’t think of it as gambling, think of it as helping little kids get some food in their little bloated malnourish bodies. And keeping homeless puppies from being gassed.”
“Without expanded gambling, we’re going to have to dump grandma in the snow.”
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 3:41 pm:
–Taxpayers are on the hook for reduced revenues from the non-gaming options. Discretionary money gets hoovered up from a market by the gaming interests leaving a much smaller piece of the pie for the remaining businesses.–
I find that absolutely fascinating, coming from a right-wing Plutocrat like yourself.
Is your point, then, that free adults, exercising their free will, should have fewer choices in the marketplace to spend their discretionary income, as they see fit, in already legal activities?
And government should decide what and where those options should be?
You old socialist.
Now, here come the always-reliable comedy stylings of the VMan:
–“Don’t think of it as gambling, think of it as helping little kids get some food in their little bloated malnourish bodies. And keeping homeless puppies from being gassed.”
“Without expanded gambling, we’re going to have to dump grandma in the snow.” –
Dude, who are you quoting?
No one said that. You did.
You, constantly, make up strawmen out of thin air and knock them down.
Get some game, daddio, if you want to participate in a dialogue. Deal with the debate in front of you, not the voices in your head.
And a little advice: Watch your spelling.
In an earlier post, you said Rep. Biggert had been “chocking” during her debate.
I imagine you meant “choking” (understandable; it’s a pretty difficult word to spell, and the fingers just naturally slip down on the keyboard to add the gratuitous “c.”
But in some circles, the gerund, “chocking,” means having an oral problem, but, I’m sure, not the one you meant to communicate.
- steve schnorf - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 4:07 pm:
I think she should be able to freely tax it in unincorporated areas
- VanillaMan - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 5:37 pm:
Congrats wordy - that was probably your hundredth posting today.
It must be a game to you because it seems you play it all damn day, everyday, all day.
You need to let others play too, btw.
- Kerfuffle - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 5:45 pm:
There is nothing that Preckwinkle wouldn’t consider taxing!
- park - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 6:29 pm:
Casinos are like trailer parks…good business model, but usually have a detrimental effect on overall value of the area. Downtown casinos are for cities like Detroit, which has no options.
- Anon. - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 7:44 pm:
As a friend of mine said, “The state’s got the horse bets, the numbers, the slots and video poker. What’s next, football cards.”
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 8:21 pm:
VMan, don’t strain your juice. You’re no victim, cousin. You just need to Cowboy Up.
Seriously, would I bother you so much if you had game?
I don’t consider my participation here a game, but I do treasure it as the only online forum for a real dialogue on public policy.
And since I treasure it, I don’t suffer fools.
I make my living in front of a computer, with many windows open all the time, and Cap Fax is always open. So I’m engaged, and I respond. That’s kind of the point, ain’t it?
I find it very stimulating and valuable, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to be a part of it.
Have you read the whack-a-doos who post in other media outlets? They, truly, scare me to death, and I hope they don’t live in my neighborhood. Do they live in yours?
We both engage, live with it. No one has to buy my, or your, stuff for a minute. It’s a conversation, not a monologue, savvy?
To my mind, you have ignorant prejudices, and nasty, holier-than-thou biases you don’t even try to back up with any knowledge.
When you put them out there in an honest forum, back them up, daddio, or a guy like me will certainly smack them down. If you can’t handle that, cry to Rush, or Sean, or Sarah, any of the other whack-a-doos who are in it for the short money.
The fact that you don’t bring any knowledge or wisdom to the table is not my problem, dude. That’s why when you peddle your gibberish, you get whacked.
A library card, put to good use, and hours reading with the TV off, would do you wonders. Strunk & White, too.
- wordslinger - Monday, Oct 15, 12 @ 8:37 pm:
–As a friend of mine said, “The state’s got the horse bets, the numbers, the slots and video poker. What’s next, football cards.”==
What’s his name? Lombardo? DiFonzo?
Is that a problem?