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Gambling Groups Donated Big to Politicians1 August 2003ILLINOIS – As reported by the Associated Press: “Gambling interests donated at least $228,000 to Illinois politicians during the first half of the year, a period when lawmakers and the governor were debating whether to expand gambling and raise casino taxes. “If the gambling industry hoped to influence state policy, it got mixed results. Officials substantially raised taxes on riverboat casinos and did not allow casinos to expand, but they did not create new competition by legalizing video poker or slot machines at race tracks. “`I don't think anybody can say we're buying votes. If we're buying votes, we're making bad expenditures,’ said Tom Swoik, executive director of the Illinois Casino Gaming Association, which represents casinos but does not make campaign donations itself. “…Kent Redfield, an expert on campaign finance who teaches at the University of Illinois at Springfield, said the amount of gambling donations is comparable to two years ago. “..`If you're a winner,’ Redfield said, `it's easier to raise money from people who want to keep you in power and people who just want to be friends with whoever is in power.’…” |