Louisiana lawmakers look to enter Illinois video gambling market

The Chicago Tribune is out with an article about how Louisiana legislators and video gaming interests are trying to enter Illinois’ fledgling gaming industry. Nicky Nichols is one of the Louisiana players seeking deals in Illinois. He is the son-in-law of Robert Guidry, who admitted to paying bribes to former Gov. Edwin Edwards for a casino license. State Reps. Damon Baldone, D-Houma, and Rob Marionneaux, D-Livonia, are listed as partners in Illinois Gaming Management, a company Nichols has set up to get a license to distribute video poker machines. Top video poker lobbyist Alton Ashy is also part of the group. But the two representatives and Ashy told John Maginnis last month their Illinois deal probably won’t go forward because the manufacturer they were working with is being bought out. “The application has been withdrawn,” Marionneaux told Maginnis. “I just want to get my money back.” But the Tribune says the three men could work with other video poker ventures in Illinois. One Illinois lawmaker says he was concerned about legislators getting involved in a business they regulate, but Nichols’ attorney told the newspaper he has multiple gaming licenses in good standing. And Baldone says there is “nothing illegal or unethical” about his business relationship. See the full story here.