A New Leader in the World of Legalized Gambling: What the Illinois General Assembly Should do to Protect Pathological Gamblers from the Rapidly Expanding Industry

This Comment addresses the increasingly recognized disorder of pathological gambling and the lack of consideration it receives from the Illinois General Assembly as gambling in Illinois continues its trend of rapid decriminalization. The Comment first analyzes the well-documented individual and communal problems that are associated with pathological gambling and then examines the historical movement toward dependence on gambling revenues in Illinois. A close examination of gambling legislation in Illinois, Indiana, and New Jersey, and the interpretation of that legislation within those respective courts, reveals that pathological gamblers receive very little statutory protection from the abusive and negligent conduct of casinos. Ultimately, this Comment argues that the Illinois General Assembly should amend, and thereby revive, the Illinois Loss Recovery Act and create a cause of action by pathological gamblers against casinos when casinos engage in extreme behavior designed to entice pathological gamblers to relapse.