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Hawaii is one state that has resisted the expansion of gambling within its territory longer than any other state but this may soon change. The Hawaiian resistance can soon crumble as the Hawaiian lawmakers are planning on serious expansion plans after many years and umpteen failed attempts.

The resistance can be largely credited to the efforts of former Governor Linda Lingle. Each time the issue came up during her tenure, she ensured that it was defeated. With the leadership in the state changing hands, the lawmakers are renewing their attempts yet again to ensure that gambling laws are liberalized enabling profitable new ventures to open in Hawaii. A casino resort and lottery is on the agenda of the lawmakers of this tropical paradise.

House Finance Chairman echoes the feelings of the legislators when he says that this might be the right opportunity. He opines that a real discussion on the subject was denied because of the adamant stand of the former governor. The discussion is only the first step of what looks like a long haul for the legislators. They want to be doubly sure of what they are getting into by conducting a series of studies on the advantages and disadvantages of gambling expansion.

Hawaii is one of the best known tourist locations in the US. Adding a few casino resorts will give the tourism industry a huge boost and perhaps bring in thousands of more tourists. The concern that the lawmakers have, and rightly so, is the possibility of the locals falling into the trap of gambling. That precisely is the reason why gambling expansion has not taken off in a big way in the state.

In recent years however, the issue of locals falling victims to problem gambling has been taken off the burner as the temptation of millions of dollars in tax revenue that the casino expansion could bring has greatly swayed the priorities of the state. A lot of states that allow and incentivize casino industries have moved on to add many more and rake in the big bucks by adding more tables and expanding their state lotteries.

Hawaii lawmakers are sure that they can find a way around to safeguard the interests of the locals and keep them away from the casinos by making the existing laws more stringent. They are committed to protect the lives and families of those who belong to the low income group and might fall to the temptation of gambling once they have the convenience of choice.

They are waiting for approval for that one extra casino. Once that happens they expect developers to pay more than a 100 million dollars for the rights to operate the casinos.

There is good news for gambling enthusiasts from Fort Lauderdale too. Senators have long been discussing the South Beach as a possible landing spot for casino resorts that is expected to be a draw for some of the biggest names in the gaming industry. The locale is the perfect setting for gaming centers and resorts. The place is always teeming with tourists with celebrities also frequenting the place during weekends and holidays.

Governor Ricky Scott seems to have opened up to the idea of having casino resorts on the beach after some initial reservations. It seems that the decision is influenced by the hundreds of jobs the casinos would create for the locals and of course the millions that it would bring to the government in tax revenues.

Video gambling has been an issue of intense debate in Illinois. The lawmakers have been considering the possibility of legalizing video gambling in the state. Now, after a state appellate court rejected the law on the grounds that it violated the Constitution, it appears that there will be more vigorous discussion on the touchy issue.

A 1^st District appellate court was unanimous in its decision that the move to legalize video gambling in the state and create higher taxes on candy, liquor, and other necessary items of daily use like toothpaste was clearly unconstitutional. The bill, the court claims, can have only one subject matter. The proposed law violated that condition.

Many leading gambling analysts including gaming analyst Steve Schwartz feel that the incident can now make the situation more complicated for video gambling owners and players. The law was brought to the present levels after tough negotiations and cajoling with the lawmakers. Now, to start all over again with new legislators in office can prove to be an uphill battle.

The decision has failed to cut ice with the Governor Pat Quinn. He is already preparing to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court. The reason is not far to seek. It is nobody’s secret that the state will be faced with severe budget problems if the law is not put in place. The state expected to rake in millions of dollars in tax revenue from the bill. The decision has clearly rattled a lot of people who are in control of the state economy as they seem to have placed high hopes on the revenue from video gambling to set their house in order.

The next order of business for Governor Quinn is to ask the Supreme Court for a stay on the ruling of the appellate court until the higher court has an opportunity to give a ruling on the issue. The objective here is to buy some precious time as it will take a few more months for the Supreme Court to get around in handling this complicated case.

Video gambling has enough supporters among the decision makers despite the setback and the pending opposition. If the current bill is seen as inappropriate and violating the Constitution, then the legislators hope to come together and decide on a new gambling law soon. This is evident from the statements coming from most of the legislators after the law was thrown out by the state appellate court. They have very clearly reiterated their commitment to ensuring that video gambling expansion takes place in the near future.

In the distant Maryland, lawmakers have already approved five slot cases for the state, two of which are already open and the third expected to break ground this week. They have set their sights on the table games for these casinos. It is evident that once the gambling expansion starts in any state, it is quite difficult to control the momentum. What starts out as a small or medium sized slot casino can turn into a full scale, all-facilities gaming center in next to no time.

In Maryland, the lawmakers look to slow down the expansion process so that the situation does not go out of control and gambling centers are limited to a few locations.