COLLINSVILLE, Ill. (KMOX) — Expect bigger purses for horsemen, a much earlier start to the season, sports betting and a full-fledged casino coming to Fairmount Park.The first two are likely happening this year at the St. Louis-area horse track. Track president Brian Zander tells KMOX's Mark Reardon the expanded gambling bill that passed in Illinois is going to bring in more money, starting with sports betting -- and that won't be hard to incorporate he says.
Earlier gambling expansion plans in Illinois sought slot machines for race tracks, but what actually passed allows table games and anything you can do at Casino Queen or Lumiere. That could be up and running next year.