(Matthew Powell/Flickr)
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A report from the Illinois Legislature says that despite growth in video gambling, the industry is going through slow times in the state.
The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability's annual review found state taxes for all forms of gambling in Illinois fell 5.8 percent in the fiscal year that ended June 30.
The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports that state revenue from riverboat casinos and the lottery fell and horse racing revenues were flat. And while video gambling revenue grew, it wasn't enough to offset other losses.
The slowdown comes while some state lawmakers investigate expanding gambling as a way to ease the state's financial problems. But Illinois Casino Gaming Association executive director Tim Swoik says he thinks the report shows "we are saturated in Illinois."