New Fairmount slots proposal

2007-12-11 16:34:40

A proposal has been made to expand Fairmount Park in Springfield, Illinois to include 500 slots machines, it has been reported.

The slots would be situated at the Collinsville racetrack, according to the Springfield Bureau - which reports that the East St Louis and Alton casinos are also looking to increase their size.

Democrats within the state offered the plan, which they say will help raise $1 billion in revenue from gaming tax every year.

One of the conditions of the scheme is that those looking to increase the number of slots at their gambling venue would pay $50,000 for each one.

Brian Zander, president at Fairmount, said: "The fee is something we'd be willing to pay."

Fairmount has applied for slots before but was not granted permission by the state legislature.

Built in 1925, it is one of only five acting horseracing tracks in Illinois.