A HOUSE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE IS DISCUSSING TWEAKS TO CURRENT STATE GAMING LAWS. 

ONE PROPOSAL ALLOWS PEOPLE TO PLACE BETS ON ILLINOIS COLLEGE SPORTS. BUT UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS ATHLETIC DIRECTOR JOSH WHITMAN SAYS HE AND HIS COLLEAGUES OPPOSE THE IDEA, NOTING THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDENT-ATHLETE MENTAL HEALTH. HE SAYS PLAYERS ARE ALREADY ATTACKED ONLINE AFTER A BAD GAME.

OPPONENTS ARE CONCERNED THAT WOULD THREATEN THE INTEGRITY OF THE GAME AND WELL BEING OF PLAYERS. REPRESENTATIVE MIKE ZALEWSKI OF SUMMIT ADDED AN AMENDMENT TO THE PROPOSAL, LETTING A SCHOOL PETITION TO TEMPORARILY SUSPEND BETTING IF A STUDENT-ATHLETE IS INFLUENCED OR MENTALLY OR PHYSICALLY HARMED BECAUSE OF A BET.

REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DECLINING HORSE RACING INDUSTRY ALSO TESTIFIED AT THE HEARING, SAYING THAT THE 2019 GAMBLING EXPANSION LAW DID NOT DEDICATE ANY REVENUE TOWARDS THE PURSES AWARDED.