Horn for Decatur - David Horn - Decatur City Council

IS A RACINO A GAME CHANGER FOR DECATUR?

Pending approval by the state legislature, Decatur could be home to a new, privately funded casino and horse racing complex called a racino. The racino would be located at the northwest corner of U.S. 36 and Wyckles Rd. The casino is to include 900 gambling positions and harness racing would take place around a one-mile track.

REASONS TO SUPPORT A RACINO

It has been argued that a racino would be a game changer for the City of Decatur. It is expected that this $150 million economic development project will bring 300 permanent jobs and 1,000 visitors to the Decatur area each day and generate $27 million annually in state and local tax revenue. Gambling is extremely popular and widespread in Decatur, and a racino will bring a state-of-the-art complex to our city. The facility could also include a sports complex, hotel, and other amenities. People visiting the racino will stay overnight here, dine in area restaurants, and buy city gas. Additionally, it will add another tourist destination to Decatur which already has Lake Decatur, the downtown shopping district, and outstanding entertainment venues.

Having a harness racing track could spark a statewide horse racing renaissance with Decatur at the forefront. A new racetrack in Decatur means more people employed in this industry from veterinarians to breeders. Decatur will rightfully be known as the gaming capital of Illinois and a regional entertainment hub. More visitors, more jobs, and a more diverse economy is a win for Decatur that can change the city’s trajectory, and as the racino grows in popularity, so will more entertainment opportunities, furthering economic growth.

REASONS TO OPPOSE A RACINO

Decatur already has a gambling problem. Between May 2025 – April 2026, the city had 85 gambling establishments containing 497 slot machines. During that 12-month period, gamblers lost $48.5 million with the annual per capita gambling loss in Decatur being >$700 per year. A large amount of the gambling loss is money being transferred from poorer individuals to large businesses that are based outside of Decatur. As per the May 20, 2025 cover story in Barron’s, millions of people live with gambling addictions that are “associated with higher rates of suicidal thoughts, domestic violence, economic insecurity, substance abuse, unemployment, homelessness, and crime.” Is a city with a poverty rate of 19.4% ready to address additional addiction, bankruptcy, and crime associated with gambling?

Horse racing is a declining industry. Why should we expect a Decatur racino to reverse that trend? While many individuals find horse racing to be exciting, others are strongly opposed to racing horses noting the risk of horse death. It is also unclear whether the company developing the racino, Revolutionary Racing, will be asking for any local funds to construct the facility. Apparently, the company has pledged not to request any state funds, but the same pledge has not been made to the city council (this assumes the land is annexed into the city).

DO REVENUES OFFSET SOCIETAL COSTS?

The 2024 Lancet Public Health Commission on gambling may summarize the pros and cons of a racino best: “While governments readily appreciate revenues from the gambling industry …, they generally underestimate the prevalence and seriousness of social harm done and the associated public costs.”

What do you think? Should the Decatur City Council support the development of a racino?