Gambling May Grow in Illinois; Where Will It Go?

By Karl Klockars in News on Dec 2, 2010 8:20PM

The state Senate just passed a bill that would approve a crazy-huge increase in gambling in Illinois, and the powers that be aren't saying "no" outright. We've been known to assume that gaming would eventually show up within city limits, and even though it's talked about on a yearly basis, this could be the end game. A land-based casino inside city limits is on the table, as well as four new new riverboats and expanded gaming at horse race tracks.

While the horsetrading is over for the time being - the House went home yesterday, leaving this legislation to twist in the wind - rather than hash out whether it'll pass, we're trying to figure out where else we can jam slot machines and roulette tables in Chicagoland. All eyes would naturally be on Navy Pier first and foremost, but where else might the Powers that Be jam some table games and one-armed bandits?

We brainstormed a bit and have come up with a short list of potential places the state and city could shove in some "revenue builders." After the jump, all the places we might like to see (or would at least settle for) gaming grab hold in Chicago - and of course, your suggestions are welcome as well.

• Video poker ringing the Signature Room
• Table games at every gate in O'Hare and Midway
• Water Tower Keno
• Environmentally friendly slot machines in every Longman & Eagle hotel room
• Slots in the Pedway (with odds-based tours by Ms. Hicks)
• A craps table on the Skydeck - or ledges - of the Sears Tower
• Slots at all rest stops above the expressways and Metra stations
• The "Wrigley Field Casino," using the profits to fund the rehab
• The "LaSalle Bank Roulette Wheel at Navy Pier"
• The "Daley Plaza Casino Market"
• Dim Sum and Pai Gow Poker at Shui Wah
• James Meeks's House of Hope Church...And World's Biggest Bingo Hall
• A Trump Casino at the top of Trump Tower, the highest casino in the world
• A Navy Pier/Chicago Children's Museum compromise: "The Chicago Children's Casino"

And from the EIC, "a Texas Hold 'Em parlor in Colonel McCormick's office. It's not like there isn't precedent there."

You're up!