Illinois: Two Gambling-Expansion Bills
Special Session called for July 9-10: General Assembly to consider two gambling-expansion bills - H.B. 1496 and H.B. 2651.
[Posted 07-03-2008]
Two Illinois Gambling-Expansion Bills
The Governor called the General Assembly into special session for July 9 and 10. The Governor is urging the House to pass "revenue bills" - GAMBLING BILLS - already passed by the Senate. Specifically, the Governor wants the House to pass HB 1496 to Lease the Lottery ( 50-65 yrs) and HB 2651, for massive gambling expansion that includes:
- More Casinos: Two land-based casinos with 4,000 gambling positions—one owned by the city of Chicago and one owned by the State—and another casino in an economically depressed community
- More gambling/betting at racetracks: Slot machines at racetracks, betting on horses at County Fairs
- Internet Gambling: Advanced Deposit Wagering that legalizes betting on the Internet for horse racing
- Expansion of existing casinos: 3,600 more gambling positions (slots and table games)
Find and contact your Legislators
Get Involved
Citizens and Illinois residents are encouraged to visit the Illinois
ILCAAAP
1132 West Jefferson, P.O. Box 2437
Springfield, IL 62702
Phone: 217-546-6871
Fax: 217-546-2814
E-mail: mail@ilcaaap.org
Other related links:
· Focus on the Family's Gambling Homepage
· Gambling Availability and Addiction
· Gambling's Impact on Families
· Focus on the Family Position Statement on Gambling
· Internet Gambling Take Action
Paid for by Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family/Action does not necessarily endorse any of the above-mentioned groups listed as potential resources.
[Archived from 05-14-2008]
Background:
HB 4128 allows anyone 18 years of age or older to establish an individual lottery account. High school and college students could use credit cards to purchase Lottery tickets on the Internet. People could gamble at home from a computer, cell phone or BlackBerry devices and become addicted very quickly. This is a huge expansion of gambling statewide. Illinois would be the first state in the nation to legalize Internet Lottery – don't let this happen!
Voters in Sangamon County overwhelming approved a referendum in 1994 asking for a vote before gambling expanded in the county—63,880 or 90% of the voters. HB 4758 would expand gambling in Sangamon County without a vote of the people. Ask Legislators to respect the vote of the people and reject this expansion of gambling.
For Immediate Action:
1. Call your State Representative (217-782-2000) and ask him/her to vote NO on HB 4128 to expand gambling on the Internet and HB 4758 to expand gambling on horse racing.
2. Share this Alert with your Church, other families and citizens who care enough to call.
3. Forward this alert to others in your e-mail address book.
For more local information and local involvement against gambling expansion, contact:
Anita Bedell, Executive Director
Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction Problems
1132 West Jefferson
Springfield, IL 62702
Phone: 217-546-6871
Other related links:
· Focus on the Family's Gambling Homepage
· Gambling Availability and Addiction
· Gambling's Impact on Families
· Focus on the Family Position Statement on Gambling
· Internet Gambling Take Action
Paid for by Focus on the Family Action.
Focus on the Family/Action does not necessarily endorse any of the above-mentioned groups listed as potential resources.
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