State Stix

Worth taking a gamble?

Gambling casinos across the Mississippi River have been giving Illinois stiff competition in the past year.

According to the Iowa and Illinois gaming boards, in October alone the Diamond Jo in Dubuque, Iowa, had receipts totaling more than $4.4 million, while that boat admitted more than 128,000 gamblers. These numbers were double those for her sister ship, the Jo Daviess-Silver Eagle, located in East Dubuque, Ill.

Gambling supporters argue that there is greater gambling activity on the Iowa side of the river because that state has given its boats a competitive advantage over those operating from Illinois cities.

In March 1994, the Iowa legislature lifted betting limits on the Iowa boats, eliminating an incentive for Iowans to gamble on this side of the river. Iowa lawmakers also approved a measure permitting gambling while the boats are docked — allowing for greater access than Illinois' floating casinos, which must sail on the Mississippi when gambling is under way.

Brian Lee

30/ December 1995/ Illinois Issues