Over the weekend, Herald-Review.com reported on the status of an Illinois law allowing online wagering on horse races, which is set to expire on January 31, 2014. If the law does lapse, racing dates would be deeply cut or even eliminated altogether.
During the six-day fall veto session which begins today, Illinois lawmakers could discuss the issue, or the it could be combined with the debate over a larger gambling expansion package that has dwindled in the General Assembly for some time.
On Wednesday, a hearing on a gambling expansion plan is set to take place, which would allow slot machines at race tracks and add five new casinos.
The current situation brings to mind a law regarding Internet gambling on horse racing which was allowed to expire last spring. Lawmakers did not renew the law for several months.
In preparation of a worst-case scenario in which the law is not renewed, the racing board approved four alternative racing schedules for 2014, one of which cuts the number of racing days down from 466 this year to 87.
In a best-case scenario brought by the racing board, the General Assembly would renew the law and grant the agency access to more than $700,000 to cover the deficit from the spring hiatus.
Join the Conversation