Casino plan could amp up competition

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Illinois lawmakers are considering a massive casino expansion that experts say could leave neighboring states playing for smaller stakes and possibly even squeeze out some of the competition from within.

Illinois is desperate for revenue to deal with a budget deficit that could reach up to $15 billion next year.

But gambling expert Bill Eadington at the University of Nevada -- Reno, said the casino pie is only so big, no matter how much politicians want to tap into for money during hard economic times.

The Illinois plan includes four new riverboat casinos, a Chicago casino and slot machines at horse racing tracks. All told, the state's gambling capacity would more than triple.

The plan faces a tough road, with Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn questioning the proposal.