We applaud Gov. Pat Quinn for Tuesday’s veto of legislation that would have meant a massive expansion of gambling in Illinois.

Proposed as a way to raise revenue in a state mired in red ink, the legislation would have allowed five new casinos – a city-owned Chicago casino with spots for 4,000 people, and riverboat casinos in Danville, Park City, Rockford and Chicago’s south suburbs with 1,600 gambling positions each. It also would have allowed slot machines at the state’s horse racing tracks.

Combine this legislation with the video gaming legislation going into effect this year that will allow bars and restaurants in many communities to install up to six gambling machines each, and there would be a nearly limitless number of opportunities for residents to gamble away their hard-earned money.