CHICAGO (WBBM) – State lawmakers will take up debate in the new year over whether to expand gambling.

As WBBM Newsradio 780′s Nancy Harty reports, racetrack owners want to get a piece of slot machines.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780′s Nancy Harty reports.

The owners of the Arlington Park racetrack hope to get 1,200 slot machines, saying it would put them on par with Indiana and the Hoosier state’s increase in racetrack casino money.

The Daily Herald reports horseracing income to Indiana has doubled in Indiana since 2008, due in part to two tracks getting slots.

But the head of the lobbying group for Illinois casinos says plans for new boats, as well as slots at tracks in Illinois, would lead to saturation. Revenue from existing casino boats has declined in recent years.

The measure would create the state’s first-ever land-based casino in Chicago and add four new riverboat casinos to Illinois.

In addition to allowing for slots at racetracks, the state legislation up for debate would create the state’s first-ever land-based casino in Chicago and add four new riverboat casinos to Illinois.

The legislation also would allow the state’s nine existing casinos to expand.

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