Chicago Mega Casino on the Way

An Illinois senator said that a Chicago mega casino is in the final stages of negotiations. The city government will use the casino revenue for fire and police pensions. In fact, Senator Terry Link sponsored the gambling expansion deal. Also, the casino will have 4,000 gaming position, which is three times bigger than any existing casino in the state.

Senator Link said that the Chicago mega casino is part of the comprehensive deal creating six new casinos in Illinois. In addition, it will bring slot machines to existing horse racing tracks. As a result, they will turn into racinos.

The proposed bill will allow thousands of businesses to add one machine in their premises. The number of machines is equal to around six more casinos in the state. Although the proposed casino in Chicago will not be city-owned, the city will get 33 percent of the gross receipts. Other communities only get five percent.

Chicago Mega Casino

Senator Link told pay per head for bookies that the proposal doesn’t come in bill form yet. Observers interpret it that there’s no deal yet. In fact, Illinois lawmakers are trying to come up with a comprehensive gambling bill that will combine legal sports betting with casino gambling expansion.

By talking to the gambling industry press, Senator Link is trying to logroll the negotiations towards a favorable result for him. That means he wants a deal that will include a Lake County casino. However, neither Mayor Lori Lightfoot nor Governor J.B. Pritzker disclosed any details of the negotiations.

Senator Link told Global Gambling that the proposed legislation will be similar to the deals made in the previous General Assembly. Former Governor Pat Quinn vetoed some of the bills in the past. However, the current governor is eager to generate revenue from gambling to supplement the state’s budget. It is easier to find a bookie in the state once the law is passed.