Casinos Sue To Overturn New State Law
The state's four largest casinos have filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn a new state law that would send a share of money gambled at casinos to Illinois' horse racing industry. Empress Casino and Harrah's in Joliet, Hollywood Casino in Aurora and Grand Victoria in Elgin argue in the lawsuit filed Tuesday in Will County Circuit Court that the legislation is unconstitutional and an unjust tax meant to support a competing gambling interest.
The law signed Friday calls for riverboat casinos to give up 3 percent of their receipts, or about $36 million a year. Sixty percent will be used to increase the prize money awarded to winning horses, while the rest will be used to improve and promote race tracks. The four casinos have paid the tax in protest and the money is being held in escrow until there is a legal resolution, said Marc Laino, executive director of the Illinois Racing Board.
June 2, 2006
Posted By Bob Hartman
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
Previous Page | Internet Gambling | Top Online Casinos | Submit News!