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The prospect of Illinois lawmakers passing a comprehensive gaming expansion package got a shot in the arm on Wednesday following a joint hearing in the state House of Representatives. Two subcommittees met to discuss a bill that has been kicking around the statehouse for almost two years.
SB 7 began its life as a Chicago casino bill back in January 2017. The proposal went on to morph into an omnibus gaming expansion package under amendments from Rep. Robert Rita, with online gambling, Sports Betting and daily fantasy sports added to the mix.
The focus of Wednesday’s hearing was Sports Betting, with only a few brief detours into land-based and online casino expansion.
That said, the four-hour meeting was a net positive for online gambling.
Deciphering legislative hearingsFollowing the Congressional Sports Betting hearing in September, many latched on to the closing statements of Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI):
“I think the one thing that all of you agree on is that for Congress to do nothing is the worst possible alternative.
“So this means we have some work to do. And I’m looking forward to working with you to try to come up with something both short-term and something more permanent to deal with this issue. Because I’m afraid if we don’t, there are going to be some people that get hurt — and hurt very badly.”
Like the highly refined witness testimony, though, it was nothing more than standard hearing-speak.
The prospect of Illinois lawmakers passing a comprehensive gaming expansion package got a shot in the arm on Wednesday following a joint hearing in the state House of Representatives. Two subcommittees met to discuss a bill that has been kicking around the statehouse for almost two years.
SB 7 began its life as a Chicago casino bill back in January 2017. The proposal went on to morph into an omnibus gaming expansion package under amendments from Rep. Robert Rita, with online gambling, Sports Betting and daily fantasy sports added to the mix.
The focus of Wednesday’s hearing was Sports Betting, with only a few brief detours into land-based and online casino expansion.
That said, the four-hour meeting was a net positive for online gambling.
Deciphering legislative hearingsFollowing the Congressional Sports Betting hearing in September, many latched on to the closing statements of Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI):
“I think the one thing that all of you agree on is that for Congress to do nothing is the worst possible alternative.
“So this means we have some work to do. And I’m looking forward to working with you to try to come up with something both short-term and something more permanent to deal with this issue. Because I’m afraid if we don’t, there are going to be some people that get hurt — and hurt very badly.”
Like the highly refined witness testimony, though, it was nothing more than standard hearing-speak.
