Illinois Residents Not Thrilled with Slots

It seems that although the government of Illinois is thrilled at the idea of bringing slot machines to their racetracks, not all of their residents are. In fact, many of them think that they are simply throwing good money after bad as the idea of slot machines is not a welcome proposition.

Some are upset about a recent program on the Illinois Channel that stressed the call to bring in slot machines to the tracks. It pointed out that the slot machines would bring in more money for the tracks’ purses which would stimulate horse racing in Illinois.

They said that the horse race industry provides more than 3,000 jobs in the state, jobs they can ill afford to lose. However, what they didn’t cover was the fact that fewer people are going to the tracks to play anymore. Those tracks that still exist are controlled by three family groups – who stand to gain the most from the lot machines.

There are only six tracks, but there are more than 25 motor sport tracks in the state. They say that this only proves that whether or not you bring in slot machines, don’t say it is for the tracks because it is obvious that no one wants the tracks anymore.

They say that the tracks are claiming that it is slot machines in other states that are pulling away their clients, but their clients were already leaving before the casinos came to town. Plus, all those jobs they are touting – not true either. They say that most of their employees are migrants, and they go from state to state and don’t pay state or local taxes. They would rather the tracks closed instead of bringing in slot machines that no one but the tracks want.


 

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