Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Gambling could be the next thing you can do on your smartphone. State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez (pictured) discussed his bill Wednesday with an Illinois House committee.

“I’m a young man in my twenties, and I am very likely to use my phone for all sorts of entertainment, i-gaming included, if it were to be passed” Gonzalez said. “But if I go to the casino, I go for the live experience. People like the experience of doing it in person.”

Riverton mayor Joe Bartley says — bad idea.

“We have six establishments that have video gaming, and in 2024, those six locations generated over $157,000 for the village. If you approve internet gaming, it will result in a decrease in funding that we receive in the village. We could see a decrease of $40-60,000.”

Bartley also dislikes the bill in his other capacity — executive director of Illinois Amvets — as many veterans groups have video casino terminals.

Wednesday’s hearing was only for discussion — no vote.

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