Legalizing video poker and slots was supposed to generate billions of dollars for the state. A decade later, that hasnt happened. Now, legislators want to double down on gambling.
Nearly a decade ago, Illinois lawmakers legalized video gambling. Today, more than 30,000 video slot and poker machines operate outside casinos here, more than any other state in the country.
The machines, which legislators said would generate billions of dollars in revenue for the cash-strapped state, are spread out over 6,800 establishments, dotting highways and towns from Winnebago County in the north to Alexander County in the south. Step outside the borders of Chicago, where video gambling remains illegal, and you will see feather flags, billboar…
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