Illinois Video Gambling Plan Fails to Start on Time
When Governor Pat Quinn signed a $30 billion infrastructure bill, a frame work was set to pay for the public works almost entirely through proceeds generated by video gambling machines to be allowed in bars and restaurants around the state. Today is the day scheduled to begin the program, but no machines are being put into place as state agencies haven't been able to catch up to the ambitious calendar.The state gaming board is responsible for creating regulations governing the slot machines, but officials say the short time allotted was not reasonable in light of the 40,000 machines expected to be governed by the new rules. Authorities say a year or more may be necessary to set up the proper structure for the gambling to begin.
BND.com reports that machines can be found throughout Chicago, but they all carry labels proclaiming them "for amusement only." Of course, that's the same disclaimer that operators have used for years to thwart law enforcement looking to crack down on machines paying out, so many observers expect money is changing hands.
Mark Kern, a former mayor of Belleville, told the website that the games have always operated as gambling devices, causing trouble for investigators for years.
"It was a waste of precious police time to send police officers into taverns to wait for something illegal to happen," Kern said. "Now they're going to be regulated and pay taxes."
Well, that's the theory, anyway. In the meantime, machine reels are spinning, but there are no taxes piling up.
