Love how Quinn calls online poker "too new". Has he been living in a cave and not been able to watch ESPN since 2003???

I would argue (as an IL resident) that PokerFuse's reading of Quinn's comments is too pessimistic.

Quinn has been more than willing to threaten outright veto over aspects of gambling expansion he doesn't like. "Problematic" and "too new" are not death sentences in that context.

I believe Madigan has a super majority, which means he has enough votes to over ride Quinn's veto. Quinn knows this, which is why he has been softening his stance against gaming expansion. He know's Madigan, not him runs the state and doesn't want to look like a fool if his veto gets over ridden. The legislators threw him a bone by banning political contributions from Casinos. He can save face by saying he got this concession.

Being a lifelong Illinois resident I have seen expansion legislation been proposed many times over the last 10-15 years, only to watch it fail to get passed. I think this time is different. I am optimistic. Hopefully internet poker will be included. If it's not it may be a long wait.

http://www.sj-r.com/thedome/x7668894...s?rssfeed=true

From an Illinois resident....Quinn is not for or against anything other than shoring up votes for his potential re-election. And let me tell you...that will be difficult in Illinois. He will be heavily challenged next election...even perhaps from his own party, which illustrates how politically wounded he is. Thus, he is the epitome of a lawmaker that will make decisions solely for political reasons.

If online poker can be presented in some broader package or political negotiation...i.e. pension reform for B/M gambling licenses and online poker he will not oppose it due to the fact he can go to the people and say he attained pension reform. In essence he will hold every bill hostage good or bad unless he can get something in return that would help him politically.

So the question of whether Quinn is for or against online poker really is a false one. If packaged correctly or negotiated correctly he will be for it. If not, its DOA.

From this week's PPA update (here):


Illinois has a real opportunity to become a hub for online poker in the Midwest.

In his State of the Budget speech, Governor Pat Quinn publicly outlined rigorous requirements for any gaming expansion in that state. He stated that proposals must have “proper ethical safeguards” in place before he would sign such legislation into law.

Governor Quinn rejected two earlier proposals, expressing concern that they did not include sufficient ethical safeguards and proper regulation. The casino gaming proposal now on the table appears to address his concerns as they relate to bricks and mortar casinos. Should this bill become law, it would authorize five new casinos and would also authorize real money online poker and online casino gaming websites, accessible to residents of the state.

However, the governor expressed skepticism over the online poker and online casino gaming provision. “It’s a brand new idea and there hasn’t been much review on that at all. Anytime you have something brand new it shouldn’t just be thrown into a bill at the last minute.”

I encourage all Illinois poker supporters to phone Governor Quinn at (217)782-0244 and to email him (click here) right away. Let’s tell him online poker is not a new concept and that, in fact, licensing this is long overdue!

Yes, this could be huge. I will be emailing him and calling him.

Emailed

So the sponsors of the bill believe they have votes to get it passed in the senate.

One problem is the Governor and the Senate President have two different people in mind for the Director of the new State gaming department.

Emailing the Gov certainly will help. He is are only obstacle from what I am hearing.

Sen. Terry Link, speaking about trying to pass a gaming expansion bill and Gov. Pat Quinn’s demands…

“We have to figure out how (the bill) gets passed before we can do anything else,” Link said of accommodating Quinn’s demands. “At last count, I don’t remember him passing any legislation in his lifetime.”

Would a protest outside the Governor's office have any impact? I've posted on note on P5's asking for people from Illinois to call Quinn's office. This matter needs to get more media attention that it currently is. I'll write to some newpapers and see if I can get something published.

I just got out of the senate executive hearing with the Illinois gaming board. Talked to a casino lobbyist among others. I'll give an update when I can.

Quick note, they schedule another hearing. So they have more to talk about obviously, and it will not be called for a vote real soon.

Email sent, link tweeted.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/p...c5105783.story

The governor also lashed out at a provision to allow Internet gambling, an idea he said should not be passed “willy-nilly.”

As an IL resident, anyone who thinks this will pass anytime soon is just kidding themselves. I'm as hopeful as the next person, but having seen so much of this **** before, I'd wager that our politicians do a whole bunch of nothing besides arguing and finger-pointing, then get re-elected, and repeat the cycle.

Sadly, imo online gaming will only pass in IL if the appropriate wheels are greased in the process.

Any thoughts on this?

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2...ull-tilt-poker

Hopefully Pokerstars will continue to throw money into Illinois. If you can't beat them, join them.

This is the ultimate tease. Having Stars run this would be so amazing. Just so hard to imagine that can happen with the local casino interest and how far they are already into the pockets of our elected officials.

But considering how highly incompetent our elected officials are I still have serious doubts that this will even come to pass. I mean they can't get anything right in this state so I why should we think they're capable of doing this?

The lottery going online legally is a decent reason

There was a local article in the paper yesterday here in Champaign Urbana saying that a deal has been struck. Trying to find the article online but can`t find it.

http://www.sj-r.com/thedome/x1641165...s?rssfeed=true

Well written article. Unfortunately it seems like more of the same political wrangling and tomfoolery. I'd be shocked if this gets done and online poker gets included.

One of Quinns sticking points was not to eliminate the gaming board, he seems all hung up on that saying they are doing a great job, while i think they are changing the language to appease him.....what a load of crap that is, thats why everyone goes to IN and Milwaukee to gamble...

Anyone know if its possible to change the law about treating every poker seat as a gaming seat with this bill? If so I believe that would be something that really needs to be looked at. If they don't it looks like IL will have 6 new casinos with no poker rooms most likely, just like the new rivers casino. No new casino will use their gaming seats for poker seats for obvious reasons. I might be wrong about this law but I'm almost sure that's how the horseshoe in IN has such a big poker room, they don't count every poker seat as a gaming seat in IN.