Poker Chips. (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)
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(WSCR) According to a report, Senate President John Cullerton discussed the idea of making Illinois an Internet gambling hub, suggesting the state could organize a major online poker game and gain worldwide popularity.
In a letter to his fellow legislative leaders, including Gov. Pat Quinn, Cullerton said legislation to create a gaming division within the Illinois Lottery would help the state maximize the profits from the lottery.
“Certain forms of iGaming, especially poker, rely on large pools of potential players, and states that move swiftly to design a system that captures the widest audience of participants will have an advantage in terms of long-range success,” Cullerton wrote. “The goal is to make the state nimble enough to adjust to new Internet gambling approaches.”
Cullerton’s idea wasn’t well received by all members of congress, though.
“If you allow Internet poker to be sanctioned by the state of Illinois, there are a whole lot of questions that need to be answered,” said Patty Schuh, spokeswoman for Senate Republican leader Christine Radogno of Lemont. “Being first isn’t necessarily a good thing.”
