ILLINOIS CASINOS STILL MUST TAKE EXCURSIONS

Meanwhile, the casinos in Illinois suffered a setback in their efforts -- as in virtually every state that allows gambling -- to change the rules after they've spent hundreds of millions of dollars to get into the game.

In Illinois, riverboat casinos are still required to cruise on designated rivers rather than be permanently docked along the shore as Missouri officials have allowed -- despite an understanding when voters approved Show Me gambling that this wouldn't happen.

Gambling lobbyists in have been working hard to get the Illinois Legislature to change the rules so boats in that state also can be docked. The next step -- as in Missouri -- would be to try to get off the boat entirely and just build vast gambling complexes that look like a bit of Las Vegas near rivers.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to get a glimpse of the future if casino lobbyists have their way. Soon they would be pushing to put casinos where the people are: in urban areas or resort towns. No river. No boat. No floating.

Just gambling.

The Illinois legislators turned down the efforts, at least for this year. But there is little doubt the pressure will resume in both Illinois and Missouri as gambling companies exert their influence in efforts to go way beyond what voters envisioned.