SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Senate has approved a major expansion of casino gambling in the state.
Senators voted 31-20 Wednesday to approve four new riverboat casinos and a first-ever land-based gambling house in Chicago.
It allows the state's nine existing casinos to increase by two-thirds the number of gambling positions by 2013.
And six horse racing tracks would be able to add slot machines.
Democratic Sen. Terry Link of Waukegan says the expansion would mean $1 billion in additional tax revenue for a state suffering with a $13 billion deficit.
Opponents say the bill expands state-sponsored gambling too much.
Gov. Pat Quinn says he's skeptical about such a "top-heavy" gambling expansion bill.
The measure now moves to the House.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
Senators voted 31-20 Wednesday to approve four new riverboat casinos and a first-ever land-based gambling house in Chicago.
It allows the state's nine existing casinos to increase by two-thirds the number of gambling positions by 2013.
And six horse racing tracks would be able to add slot machines.
Democratic Sen. Terry Link of Waukegan says the expansion would mean $1 billion in additional tax revenue for a state suffering with a $13 billion deficit.
Opponents say the bill expands state-sponsored gambling too much.
Gov. Pat Quinn says he's skeptical about such a "top-heavy" gambling expansion bill.
The measure now moves to the House.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
