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Another gambling proposal has surfaced in Springfield.
This version is similar to one that Governor Rod Blagojevich introduced last month but it also includes a subsidy for Illinois horse racing.

The governor’s office says he’s interested in the idea.

It comes from Democratic Representative Robert Molaro (moh-LAR’-oh).

He wants to let existing riverboat casinos expand to serve three-thousand people at a time. They are now limited to 12-hundred.

Casinos would have to pay 20-thousand dollars for each new gambling position, but the current 70-percent tax rate would drop to 50-percent.

Three-percent of casinos’ gross revenues would be set aside to help Illinois racetracks.

The plan does not include any new casinos.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 13, 05 @ 3:14 pm

Comments

What’s the point of setting aside casino revenues to help racetracks?

Comment by Drew Hibbard Wednesday, Apr 13, 05 @ 3:35 pm
…to try to inject more revenue into the industry. I believe Illinois ranks rather low in purse size for horse races. I suppose the rationale is a higher purse will lead to higher attendance.

hmmm….dare we watch for slot machines at racetracks?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 13, 05 @ 3:40 pm
Is it time to drag out the decorations for the Christmas tree yet?

Rich has often written about gaming proposals being done in by their own weight. This sounds like the beginning of the end for the proposal to double the number of gaming positions.

Comment by the Other Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 13, 05 @ 3:45 pm
At what point are we putting more $ into horse racing than we’re getting out of it?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 13, 05 @ 3:45 pm
Where are the crowds for these casinos going to come from? Il. is not at the top of the gambler’s destination spots. I am willing to bet that most of the patrons that the boats have now are locals are lines are not forming.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 13, 05 @ 5:31 pm
How much does Molaro get?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 13, 05 @ 6:54 pm
Sounds like Molaro and Blago could be teaming up again?

Hmmm. Whatever happened to Molaro-Blago pension reform?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 13, 05 @ 7:32 pm
What about the story today of a bill being worked on to get rid of casinos in Illinois?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 13, 05 @ 8:55 pm
I gotta say, the comments suck now that the posse’s in town. Where’s the smart-ass cynicism? Where’s the rumor-mongering? Where’s the wild speculation? I mean, I understand the need for some sort of oversight here, but without the above three, what’s the point of coming here?

The posse needs to be more liberal in what they’re allowing. Then again, maybe it’s just been a slow day and they’re not regulating as much as it seems.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 14, 05 @ 12:26 am
Talk about off-topic.

The posse isn’t deleting any of the types of posts you suggest. I’ve seen them all, and they’re only killing the truly bad ones.

Frankly, I don’t care one way or another about “rumor-mongering” or “wild speculation,” but nothing like that has been posted (let alone delted) so far, so your comment is not based on fact.

You may think this is a totally open public place, but it’s my blog. My name is on it. My reputation, such as it is, is attached to it. It’s not a tavern’s bathroom wall on which you can scribble whatever dribble you want. Some standards, even in tavern bathrooms, have to be maintained.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 14, 05 @ 4:53 am
um, as a member of the posse, I’d like to report I enjoy “smart-ass cynicism…rumor-mongering…wild speculation” and other types of free and appropriate speech

jeez I feel like I am on a political version of elimidate

I want to see the smart-assed cynics and rumor-mongerers and wild speculaters!

Comment by Mongo Thursday, Apr 14, 05 @ 7:54 am
A legislator actually came out with a realistic plan to raise revenue that could pass? That’s a first this year. Maybe someone is serious about having a budget before May 31st. Molaro’s plan makes more sense than Lang’s bill which continues his attempts to help out Arlington Racetrack.

Comment by Tom Joad Thursday, Apr 14, 05 @ 6:24 pm
Deleted anonymous…. you’re just asking for more scrutiny. I know who you are….

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 15, 05 @ 3:48 am
What is the deal with Rosemont?

It is not a bad location comparatively.

But some real sleazeballs are operatives there

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 15, 05 @ 5:41 pm
The Rosemont crew is corrupt and connected.

Gambling is bad for Illinois.

Comment by Anonymous Sunday, Apr 17, 05 @ 4:34 pm