HS HCS HB 498 -- EXCURSION GAMBLING BOATS (Jacob)

This substitute requires the Gaming Commission to allow
passengers to board an excursion gambling boat at any time while
the boat is docked and allows boats to remain docked between the
hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

The substitute also prohibits local elections to allow excursion
boat gambling from being resubmitted to the voters sooner than
24 months after the original submission.

FISCAL NOTE:  Impact on Gaming Proceeds for Education Fund of
unknown in FY 96, FY 97, and FY 98.

HCS HB 498 -- EXCURSION GAMBLING BOATS

SPONSOR:  Jacob

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Ways and
Means by a vote of 8 to 4.

This substitute eliminates the $500 loss limit for persons
making wagers on excursion gambling boats. Additional state
gross receipts tax on gambling that result from elimination of
the loss limit, as estimated by the Office of Administration,
will be deposited in the Higher Education Trust Fund which is
created in the substitute.  Monies in the fund can be
appropriated only for funding of higher education.

The substitute also requires the Gaming Commission to allow
passengers to board an excursion gambling boat at any time while
the boat is docked and allows boats to remain docked between the
hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

FISCAL NOTE:  Income to Higher Education Trust Fund of $0 to
$11,759,529 in FY 96, $0 to $14,112,000 in FY 97, & $0 to
$14,112,000 in FY 98.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this bill will eliminate the
administrative problems associated with the loss limit, attract
high stakes gamblers, increase state revenue, and eliminate a
competitive disadvantage with the state of Illinois.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Bill Tucker, Research Analyst

HB 498 -- Excursion Gambling Boats

Sponsor:  Jacob

This bill eliminates the maximum loss limit of $500 per
individual player per gambling excursion.