But not everyone shares Bedell’s concerns about the proposed expansion, including Springfield’s Mayor Mike Houston. Bedell and other opponents say the proposed changes will create more gambling addicts, causing more costly social problems that will outweigh any revenue enhancements expected from the expansion. Combine all of the proposed new gambling together, and Illinois’ maximum gambling capacity would increase from about 12,000 positions to more than 38,000 positions, putting Illinois in 20th place for states with the most machines per resident. The measure would also allow the city of Chicago and four other Illinois communities to host new casinos and authorize more gambling positions at existing casinos.

“They say they’re going to have horse racing three to nine months a year, and I don’t know if people understand there’s going to be casino gambling year-round – 900 gambling positions.” An electronic gaming device, like those slated for racetracks in the proposed gambling expansion, counts as one “position.” Existing Illinois casinos are now only allowed to have 1,200 gambling positions, which include electronic gaming devices but also other games such as craps tables, which count as 10 positions each. Bedell is the executive director of the Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems (ILCAAAP), which opposes any gambling expansion. “It’s going to be like a full-blown casino,” Anita Bedell says of proposed changes to the fairgrounds. Pat Quinn signs a proposed gambling expansion measure that would allow racetracks, including the state fairgrounds in Springfield, to become “racinos,” where the addition of hundreds of slot machines, available year-round, would draw more gamblers to increasingly less popular horse races. Gambling opponents say that’s what Springfield should expect to see if Gov. Step right up! Welcome to the Illinois State Fairgrounds, where kids can milk cows, and cows can win ribbons and anyone 21 years and older can contribute to an electronic, press-a-button, hear-a-beep, wait-to-(probably)-lose-while-it-looks-like-you’re-winning casino king’s cash cow – the slot machine. Horsemen run their horses on the Illinois State Fairgrounds track during qualifying races held by the Illinois Standardbred Owners and Breeders Association.

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