Illinois Casinos Push To Be Open 24/7
By Chuck Sudo in News on Sep 10, 2013 8:30PM
If Illinois’ 10 casinos have their way they’ll be open at all hours of the day to satisfy the urges of gamblers of all stripes. The Tribune reports the Illinois Gaming Board will hear arguments next week supporting and opposing extending the operating hours the state’s casinos will be allowed to stay open.
Currently casinos can operate a maximum of 22 hours a day but the gambling lobby argues business a combination of 24-hour video gambling at truck stops and casinos in neighboring states has Illinois’ gambling houses at a disadvantage. Illinois Casino Gaming Association executive director Tom Swoik, whose group is spearheading the latest charge, said casino revenues in Illinois have been on a steady decline since 2007.
It’s worth noting that the gambling lobby also blamed the drop in revenue on Illinois’ smoking ban; revenues at Illinois’ casinos decreased 28 percent from the time the ban went into effect in 2008 through 2011. The shitty economy during that time frame was also a contributing factor. The Illinois Legislature has tried a couple times to expand gambling in the state in recent years, only to run into opposition from the Gaming Board and Gov. Pat Quinn, who vetoed proposed legislation expanding gaming in Illinois into law because of the lack of oversight in the bill and a fear it would make Illinois “the Las Vegas of the Midwest.”
Illinois Gaming Board chairman Aaron Joffe told the Tribune the gambling lobby routinely requests to allow 24/7 operation at casinos “and in the past we have voted it down.”
"But if people want a hearing, we'll listen to what they have to say and try to give them an answer as soon as possible."