ï»¿Illinois Senate Approves Casino Expansion But ‘Grand Bargain’ is appearing a Hard Bargain

The Illinois Senate approved a bill last week that would authorize six brand new land-based casinos in the state, however the proposal is stuck in limbo until lawmakers agree for a slew of other economy-boosting bills to go along with it.

Illinois State Senator Terry Link is the driving force behind major casino expansion legislation approved by the Senate final week. However, unless lawmakers acknowledge the others associated with the Grand Bargain it’s going nowhere fast. (

This is Illinois’ so-called ‘Grand Bargain,’ a package that is legislative hopes to bring an end to its budget impasse and institute a set of policies geared towards fixing its economic mess.

The two-year stand-off on investing involving the Democratic-controlled House and also the state’s Republican Governor Bruce Rauner, is the longest any state has gone without a spending plan in almost a century.

It is likely to on a bit longer, too, because, last Wednesday, a lot of the compromise that is sprawling ended up being pulled in the Senate, with Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) accusing Rauner of ‘injecting himself to the proceedings’ and hijacking the bi-partisan deal, which had been months into the making.

War on Illinois

However the casino that is proposed, if enacted, would be transformational for Illinois’ gambling sector, ushering in a completely new era of casinos on dry land. Presently, casino gaming is restricted to riverboats along Lake Michigan therefore the Illinois River, a nod towards the state’s colorful 19^th Century gambling history.

The bill would permit, for the very first time, a casino in Chicago itself, the Windy City having previously been off limits as a result of competition with local racetracks.

Five other areas also have been earmarked for casinos, at yet-to-be-determined locations in Lake County, Rockford, Danville, Cook County, and Williamson County.

Senator Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) said last week Illinois is losing $1.6 billion in gambling revenue because casino expansion in neighboring states is drawing residents and their hard-earned dough over the state line.

‘We’re surrounded by five states that have actually announced war on Illinois and they’re building casinos on our borders,’ he said.

Cash to Be Made

According to Senator Terry Link (D-Waukegan), the driving force behind legislation, research shows that the new casinos would bring the state nearly $1 billion in set-up fees alone. The Chicago property, and those in its suburbs, would pay a license fee of $100,000 plus $30,000 per gambling position; i.e, for each slot machine or table game seat.

‘The doors would likely be operational for conventions, which will be something that southern Illinois does not have,’ added Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg).

Nevertheless, others noticed that expansion might have an impact that is detrimental

existing riverboat gambling enterprises, which currently give 50 % of their revenues to the state, which may suggest tax that is actual figures may possibly not be quite as pretty as have projected.

The riverboats, nevertheless, would be permitted to house 400 more slots as compensation, while the bill would authorize slots at also four horse racing tracks, aswell as at Chicago airports.

South Korea Gambling Revenue Tops $17 Billion in 2016

South Korea gambling revenue surged in 2016 despite a financial downturn in the country. According to the Yonhap News Agency, the country’s biggest news outlet, income from the lottery, casinos, and horse race sectors totaled 20.3 trillion won ($17.6 billion) final year.

That represents a 7.7 percent year-over-year enhance.

Casinos expanded under ousted President Park Geun-hye’s reign, and while residents are banned from entering most betting establishments, South Korea gambling is alive and well. (Image: Jung Yeon-Je/Getty Images)

Korean law prohibits its citizens from participating in most kinds of gambling. Residents are permitted to enter only 1 for the 17 casinos that are land-based South Korea, as the remainder are foreigner-only facilities. Kangwon Land, a resort that is state-operated Gangwon, is the only casino nationals can gamble in.

While 2016 was a good year for gambling, the South Korean economy moved in a different direction.

‘Due to economic depression, people have a cleopatra mobile slot tendency to desire making a fortune at one stroke,’ Seoul National University Professor Kwak Geum-joo stated.

Nearly half of this nation’s economy utilizes the export of products and services, primarily electronics and automobiles. But China has recently trapped in being capable of producing comparable technical devices at lower prices, which in change is driving demand down.

Lottery Winners

South Koreans are permitted to play the lottery, and also permitted to participate in the ‘toto,’ pari-mutuel and fixed odds sports betting.

The Journal of Gambling Studies found in its 2012 report titled ‘The Effect of Recessions on Gambling Expenditures’ that only lottery admission sales were recession-proof. And in 2016, South Korea’s lottery rendered that theory true.

The lottery generated nearly $3.8 billion in income last 12 months, a lot more than nine percent better than its prior year performance.

Lottery’s growth outpaced the other gambling that is legal, as Kangwon Land increased 3.8 percent, and the Korea Racing Authority claims its horse racing revenues grew just 0.2 percent.

Expansion Projects

While Southern Korea does not appear to own any instant plans to flake out its strict anti-gambling laws for its individuals, the united states is willing to welcome foreigners into gaming establishments.

This springtime, the nation’s 18th brick-and-mortar casino shall start in Incheon. The city is area of the greater Seoul metropolis, which will be home to roughly 1 / 2 of South Korea’s 50 million residents. Seoul can be the financial hub of this country, with both Samsung and Hyundai, the two largest companies in South Korea, both headquartered in the administrative centre.

Paradise City is the first of three planned Incheon casino resorts. The property that is foreigner-only feature a resort and spa to compliment a 330,000-square-foot gaming space that includes 160 table games and 350 slot machines.

Sega Sammy Holdings is behind the project, the ongoing business famous in the usa for its Sega gambling system and Sonic the Hedgehog character. Paradise City is anticipated to open in April.

The next casino in the works is being partially financed by Mohegan Tribal Gaming, the US operator that has Mohegan Sun in Connecticut and is currently into the procedure of developing another casino in the tiny state that is northeastern.

Events investing in Incheon are hoping the region becomes Asia’s new Macau, or at the least, becomes a viable substitute for the Chinese special administrative gambling area.

Utah Raids Shut Down Hundreds of ‘Slots,’ But Makers Say They’re Appropriate

A slot machine sting in Utah, the joint-‘driest’ state in the usa as it pertains to gambling, has resulted in the impounding of more than 500 machines in gas stations, small markets, ethnic markets and restaurants across the state.

Utah State Senator Curt Bramble ended up being one of three lawmakers who demanded an investigation into the devices having been approached by concerned members for the public. (Image: Stacie Scott, Deseret Information)

Authorities said that, over the year that is past $12 million to $24 million had flowed through the machines, installed at some 130 businesses throughout Utah. The raids began on and are said to be ‘ongoing. wednesday’ While no arrests were made, Leo Lucey, Attorney General’s workplace Chief Criminal Investigator, stated in an official statement thursday that the operators for the devices could face ‘multiple felony charges.’

‘The Attorney General’s Office has focused its operation today on a lot of gambling devices we allege are illegal under Utah statute,’ stated Lucey. ‘Because these products are out in the open and can be obtained to anyone, they provide an especially dangerous threat to youth.’

Blanket Prohibition

Lucey said that the investigation, including neighborhood, state, and federal law enforcement, was in fact launched over the summer after demands from three state representatives, whom had in turn been approached by concerned members associated with the public.

Utah is the only state in the US, except Hawaii, that prohibits gambling in all its kinds, even lotteries and, yes, raffles. Also the act of gambling is considered a class B misdemeanor, rising up to a course an if you are caught twice.

Jason Chaffetz, US representative for Utah’s third congressional district, meanwhile, has been certainly one of the most outspoken supporters in Washington associated with motion to ban online gambling at a federal level over the last few years.

Gumball Rally

But the company that produces and distributes the machines, Intermountain Vending, said week that is last AG’s actions were ‘disappointing and regrettable’ also it believed it had been running within the confines of Utah law, despite its draconian prohibition of all games of chance.

The company says the devices have a ‘no purchase necessary’ option, while some of them hand out gumballs each time a quarter is added, in addition to the chance for winning money.

‘Our kiosks’ function is completely tested and now we think they meet all the requirements of Utah law,’ stated the organization in an official statement, Thursday. ‘Now, instead of having a dialogue that is reasonable working to resolve any perceived issues, Intermountain Vending will be forced into the unnecessary expense and inconvenience of dealing using this through the courts.

‘Meanwhile, our merchant-customers will totally lose the advantages of increased foot traffic and retail product sales which we provide them and their clients are denied the opportunity to purchase our products and take pleasure in the entertaining features of our kiosks.’

In accordance with Lucey, users regarding the machines either directly insert cash or ‘value cards’ bought from a store clerk, in which he begs to differ on the loophole that is legal.

India Contemplates Legal Casinos and Sports Betting, $60 Billion at Stake

India is the latest country to examine the possibility for legalizing gambling, and appears available to changing existing statues. The Law Commission, the country’s top law panel, is reviewing the feasibility of creating sports betting and casinos legal, along with other types of wagering.

India has battled gambling that is illegal years, including splitting up impromptu casinos, like this 1 in New Dehli. Now officials are considering making gambling regulating and legal it. (Image: Hindustan Circumstances)

The motivation is financial. The Indian gambling market, both legal and illegal, is estimated at $60 billion yearly, and the government would like more control of that cash. Legislation would be the simplest way to eliminate illegal operations and bring in more revenue.

‘Regulation and taxation can yield large quantities of revenue for the exchequer and check crime,’ Maj Rajpal Singh, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) director told the Hindustan Times.

Managing Internet Gambling

The Public Gambling Act of 1867 is antiquated, written in time when computer systems didn’t exist, yet the country still adheres to numerous principles for the legislation.

Web gambling is an area that is grey the law and though unlawful, authorities have found it tough to enforce.

‘It (wagering and gambling) is happening through the internet and it is difficult to stop within the lack of an updated law,’ a member associated with the commission said.

There are gambling enterprises in Asia already. The states of Goa and Sikkim have legalized land-based video gaming which are the sole hubs of casino regulated play within the country.

Inching Towards Legalization

Commission chairman Justice B.S. Chauhan recently attended a conference that is three-day London, according to the Hindustan Times. It in fact was a fact-finding mission and presenters gave talks on regulation, lotteries, and betting. Many associated with the presssing issue saw his presence as being a indication that the country is leaning towards legalization.

The Supreme Court asked the organization to study the possibility of betting on cricket in another positive step. It’s the national sport, but has been besieged by match-fixing scandals by organized criminal activity and large levels of illegal betting. Changing the statutory law to legalize most forms of gambling would eliminate the power of cartels.

‘According to your Public Gambling Act (1867), all sorts of gambling in Asia are illegal,’ said Vikrant Pachnanda, a Delhi court that is high and managing editor of India Law Journal, a periodical that expresses views on topical legal issues. ‘But unlike within the US where there is the American Internet Gambling Prohibition Act [editor’s note: this bill was defeated in 1999, presumably he means the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, which did pass], no specific guidelines exist in the Indian system that club online gambling.’