Online Gambling Begins to Gushing Praise in Illinois
Even while the US Department of Justice continues to offer its unsubstantiated opinion that all online gambling is illegal, Illinois opens its horse racing to Internet wagering today. Track officials and horsemen are excitedly praising the arrival of online betting as a savior of the racing industry.
"We're all excited about it," Lenny Brooks, executive director of the Illinois Horseman's Benevolent and Protective Association, told the Belleville News-Democrat. "It's a landmark day in Illinois."
Tuesday the Illinois Racing Board licensed three companies, including Youbet and TwinSpires, to take online gambling action for the five horse tracks in the state. Action can legally be taken by any of the three as soon as today.
TVG is the third company selected. When Illinois players place wagers at tvg.com, a share of the winnings goes to state tracks, regardless of where the race is held.
"It should enhance business and help the not only the state, but the horse owners and the race tracks," Racing Board operations manager Mickey Ezzo said.
An explanation to foreign online casinos being investigated by the US DoJ as to how the open operation of online gambling is ignored has not been made. While court decisions have ruled that only sports betting is forbidden online by federal law, Internet poker and casino operators are selectively prosecuted as domestic companies are ignored.
