There is a bill in the Illinois House which would allow slot machines at race tracks throughout the state. That would include the Quad City Downs in East Moline.

Quad City Downs is an off-track betting facility owned by Arlington Park Race Track.

Supporters of the bill say it would raise millions of dollars to help pay for road, bridge and other construction projects in the state. Opponents say Illinois does not need any expansion of gambling.

Some patrons at the Quad City Downs say if lawmakers pass the bill, they hope some of that revenue can be used to improve the quality of horse racing in the state.

Roy Arnold from Arlington Park Race Track says slot machine revenues could be used to reinstate harness racing at Quad City Downs for at least 30 racing days a year. That could happen by October of 2011.

He also says that money could be used to renovate and update the grandstand and the race track at the Q.C. Downs.

Six race tracks in Illinois would be impacted if the slot machine bill is passed and signed into law.