Illinois Gambling Bill to Give Lottery More Power? - Illinois Review

Specifically, according to the bill itself (page 80, lines 8-26), the Lottery Superintendent can offer any type of internet game the division wants  skill or chance, with "skill" specifically referring to poker and "chance" referring to any type of risky online gaming, including an online lottery, online slot machines, Bingo, Keno - even a full fledged online internet casino. Page 83, line 22 notes that the Illinois Lottery Superintendent can even make internet wager agreements with foreign governments - which would put Illinois in a class by itself, able to process foreign lottery transactions within the boundaries of the state. And the responsible gaming commission that the governor wants to appoint?

They would only answer to Mike Jones.

And, of course, page 95 line 14-24, gives the Lottery Superintendent full global travel powers, because Mike Jones wouldn't have it any other way. Because after granting him the power to control all of Illinois online gaming, we certainly shouldn't stop him from controlling his share of our money, too.

The worst part? This bill, which is supposed to provide a means to increase revenues for the state and boost the local economy by providing jobs and revenue to local businesses, actually vests all of the power to handle online gaming in the state, effectively muscling out any private competitors. That's certainly not a way to treat a free market you hope will make you lots of tax money.

As much as Illinois residents might support the gaming bill, as with all Illinois bills, this is less about Illinois and more about brokering power.