[foxvince]

Rosemont Ups Ante in Casino Bid
9 December 2005

ROSEMONT, Illinois – As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times: "The village of Rosemont, in trying to snare a casino, has long promised to give away 80 percent of future casino tax money to other suburbs.

"On Tuesday, Rosemont went all in.

"In a letter to Illinois Gaming Board Chairman Aaron Jaffe, Rosemont Mayor Donald E. Stephens pledged to give away all the local casino tax money -- estimated at about $20 million a year.

"Tuesday's gambit could mean very little because of those ongoing legal battles as well as the concerns of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who said last year: 'There appear to be connections that Don Stephens and the city of Rosemont had to organized crime.'…"

[autumn]

It was interesting to read the comment by the Illinois Attorney General in regard to organized crime connections. We generally associate Nevada casinos with organized crime connections, whether true or not. I was surprised to hear of possible connections in other states, but I suppose there very well could be. I personally believe that organized crime holds the purse strings of the casinos, not that it's a problem to me, it's just a well-hidden fact of the gambling world.

[DeepBlue]

There is almost certainly more organised crime connections to casino's than anyone is ever likely to admit. After all, it wouldn't go down too well that a newly built casino is funding drug running would it?

My only concern with the developments is that an independant source monitors the funds from time to time, as there are always stories of money being diverted to "other" causes.

[autumn]

They run a well-oiled machine, money goes offshore, not easily traced, and false charities and benefactors are set up to avoid the IRS. As someone once commented, the demand for entertainment (and drugs, unfortunately) is high (no pun intended) and they are meeting the demand...some good, some bad. Casinos, however, are fun, no matter how tightly controlled they are by the people behind the scenes (those cameras in the walls and ceilings, etc..)

[DeepBlue]

Strange to think isn't it, all those smiling faces, the friendly, helpful dealers and the relaxed atmosphere yet behind closed doors there are people watching your every move!

Guess these things aren't just what you see in the movies eh? I wouldn't know how casino money is dished out, though I'm sure if there is a way around the taxes and so forth it will be taken.