Middle America is experiencing political battles over the casino gambling scene, namely in Illinois and South Dakota, where the main concern is - not surprisingly - having more opportunity to gamble. In Illinois, the source of controversy lies in whether or not a tenth casino should be allowed to go up, which has incidentally been tied up in litigation for several years to date. Presiding over the debate is Illinois' gubernatorial race between Republicans Sidney Mathias and Judy Baar Topinka, and Democrat Michael MacDonald.

MacDonald is making it clear that he favors a tenth casino, which he is on record saying he would push for to go up in Chicago. It is estimated that a casino in such a locale could generate up to $70 million each year. As for Mathias, his stance is more cautious. He has openly expressed his opposition to the expansion of casino gambling, however, he does not consider the permitting of a tenth casino, which has already technically been approved by law, an expansion of casino gambling. Although both men hold different views on the overall state of gambling, it appears likely that Illinois will get their long awaited tenth casino anyhow.

In South Dakota, the issue is not so much as building another casino as it is allowing for more slot machines. The United Sioux Tribes recently met together to discuss their frustrations with Governor Mike Rounds, who was invited to attend the meeting, but declined to show and discuss anything gambling-related whatsoever with the Sioux.

Specifically, the Sioux tribe is out to negotiate another gaming compact in order to permit five-hundred additional casino-style gambling machines which would be used to fund a new resort.  Their current contract would have renewed itself if nothing was to be changed. However, the Sioux are apparently set on getting more gaming machines and even possibly structuring a boycott of video lottery machines if Governor Rounds does not considering negotiations.