Chicago Crime Commission Encourages Video Gambling Machine Ban in DuPage County

Law enforcement may be left with uncontrollable situation

CHICAGO, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Chicago Crime Commission
encouraged the DuPage County Board to ban video gambling machines in DuPage
County. They warned that the long-term cost to society would far outweigh any
short-term revenue gains if video gambling machines are installed. Law
enforcement and other regulators would be left with a virtually uncontrollable
situation.

"The decentralized nature of video gambling may soon turn Illinois into the
'Wild West' of gambling," said J.R. Davis, Chairman of the Chicago Crime
Commission. "I would encourage DuPage County as well as municipalities and
counties throughout the state to ban the video gambling machines before they
are ever installed," he added.

"Video gambling has been called the crack cocaine of gaming for good reason.
With the proliferation of video gambling, communities can expect to experience
an increase in crime and a rise in other social ills connected with gambling
expansion," he continued.

According to legislative analysis, about 66,000 video gambling machines may
soon be scattered throughout communities in Illinois. While a law enforcement
needs analysis is currently non-existent, Davis estimates Illinois will soon
have to hire hundreds of new police and regulatory personnel to begin
addressing the law enforcement requirement of this gambling expansion.
"Unfortunately, I haven't heard anyone address this reality or speak to how
these needs will be met," said Davis.

Davis also expressed concern that it would be difficult if not impossible to
curb the influence of organized crime in this new, tough to regulate
enterprise. "It is a fact that organized crime is known to gravitate towards
gambling and other ancillary businesses," he continued.

Additionally, Davis said that the state's self exclusion program, which
prohibits problem gamblers from entering casinos, would be left hobbled if
video gambling proliferates in Illinois. "I have significant concern that
entire families will be left penniless because Mom or Dad will be feeding
their entire paycheck into the video poker machines," he concluded.

Contact:
John Pastuovic
312-372-0101 X 240

SOURCE Chicago Crime Commission

John Pastuovic of Chicago Crime Commission, +1-312-372-0101 ext. 240