Gaming Commissions in the states of Indiana, Iowa and Illinois all made news yesterday – a rejection, an approval and a federal lawsuit.

In Indiana following a report from a state attorney general, the Indiana Gaming Commission has rejected part of a deal between a casino and its host city that gave an East Chicago firm, Second Century, a share in the casino revenue. The private company was said to have repeatedly blocked efforts to supply financial records or detail the economic development projects purchased with its share of casino profits. The report included a ruling by the Attorney General’s office that the Commission had the power to revoke the contract, the first time the Indiana Gaming Commission has taken such action.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission yesterday approved by a 4-0 vote plans for a second casino in the southeast of the state. The Catfish Bend Casino is now authorized to permanently dock at Fort Madison on the River Mississippi and a new casino will be built at the Pzazz Hotel and Fun City complex in Burlington. Previously the Catfish Bend riverboat had operated at Fort Madison in the summer and docked at Burlington for the winter. The Commission ruling will now mean permanent casino operations at both sites.

In Springfield, Illinois a nine-count federal lawsuit has been filed against the Gaming Board, Governor Blagojevich, his ex chief of staff and the state Revenue Director by the ex chief of the Gaming Board, Jeannette Tamayo. She accuses the governor and his top aides of asking her to break state law by giving the governor’s office highly confidential information showing net profits for casinos. The lawsuit also states, amongst other things, that the governor’s office blocked an investigation into a US$60,000 a year legislative liaison job obtained with help from a Blagojevich fund raiser. (E-06.09.06)

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