But through what was billed as an inadvertent error, the final bill contained no wagering loss limits. 'We'll hire more people, plus the state will make more money and we will make more money,' Swoik said.īut gambling opponents say the move would do away with one of the few protections for problem gamblers - being kicked out of the casino at closing time.Īnita Bedell, executive director of Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction Problems, said the move would further water down gambling rules that are already weaker than promised when lawmakers first legalized riverboat gambling.īack then, the legislation gained momentum with the promise that gamblers would not be able to lose more than $500 at a time.

That's because casinos' revenues are taxed at a sliding scale that tops out at 50 percent, versus a flat 30 percent tax for video gambling machines. Swoik said Illinois already allows 24-hour gambling after recently legalizing video machines at truck stops, contending the state could bring in more tax revenue by allowing round-the-clock betting at casinos. Missouri, Indiana and Iowa allow casinos to operate around the clock. Swoik argues that extending hours could help casinos recover lost money and prevent gamblers not ready to quit from crossing state borders during the period when Illinois casinos are closed. Swoik notes that casino revenues across Illinois have dropped steadily since 2007, with the exception of Rivers Casino, which has led the state in bringing in cash since first opening in mid-2011.

Executive Director Tom Swoik said the group asked the Gaming Board to reconsider its ban to help boost profits for casinos that have struggled in recent years. The latest effort to allow round-the-clock gambling is being led by the Illinois Casino Gaming Association, which represents six of Illinois' 10 casinos.

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