Tagged: gambling

Illinois' anti-gambling lobby speaks out against online lottery plan

Illinois Lottery officials want lotto tickets available online by next spring. Both the state - and gambling critics - agree that'll be a financial boon for Illinois.

"Well, it could be a boon, but at the expense of addicted gamblers," said Anita Bedell, the head of Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems. Bedell, who has been fighting gambling expansion for years, says she worries online ticket sales will make it too easy for gambling addicts to get their fix.

One person put a stop to more gambling in Illinois this year.  Gov. Pat Quinn refused to go along with a package that would have added casinos, expanded existing sites and put slot machines at horse tracks.  

Illinois seemed on track for the biggest gaming expansion since riverboat casinos went in the water 20 years ago.  The General Assembly approved it.  But Governor Quinn blocked the attempt.  Quinn wanted less gambling in what was a huge package. 

Thousands of people who have voluntarily banned themselves from Missouri casinos will get a second chance at playing the slots.

The Missouri Gaming Commission voted Wednesday to relax rules for the state's casino exclusion list, which imposes a lifetime casino ban on problem gamblers who voluntarily sign up for it.

Starting next spring, the new rules will allow people to remove themselves from the list after they have been on it for at least five years.