SPRINGFIELD, Illinois -- As reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "The Casino Queen, having just opened up its new facility in East St. Louis, would 'absolutely' expand it to include more slot machines and gaming tables if state lawmakers give it that option, says a representative of he casino.

"But the Queen, and Illinois' eight other casinos, probably shouldn't bet on that option just yet. Some state lawmakers want to make any expansion of gaming far more expensive for the casinos — if they allow it at all.

The Illinois Senate last week approved a major gambling expansion package that would create three new casinos and allow the state's remaining nine to divvy up 6,000 new 'gaming positions,' meaning more slot machines and seats at gaming tables. Illinois' casinos currently are limited to 1,200 gaming positions each..."