Gaming firms increase political donations with merger in works

Tuesday, May 17, 2005 | 9:42 a.m.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Two casino companies have significantly increased their political donations as they push for state approval of a merger that would create Illinois' largest gambling empire.

Penn National Gaming Inc. and Argosy Gaming Co. gave state officials more than $570,000 in campaign donations in the 2003-2004 election cycle, easily topping the amounts given by other casino companies.

Penn National gave $120,000 after never giving directly to state politicians before, while Argosy doubled its contributions from previous election cycles, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

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