Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s plan to increase some gambling in Illinois while prohibiting new casinos shows his hypocrisy and illogic.

He wants to more than double the number of slot machines and other casino games on existing riverboat casinos, while opposing building any other ones in the state, according to an April 1 article in the Chicago Tribune.

He said his plan would generate $300 million, which he would route to schools.

It’s very important to increase school funding, especially now, when the state is struggling under a budget shortfall.

However, why does Blagojevich want to provide the benefit of expanded gambling to only the nine active riverboat casinos in the state? This gives them undue power.

It’s true that gambling has a social and economic cost. For example, according to a 1999 report by the National Gambling Impact Study Commission, problem gamblers cost society $715 every year. More serous problem-gamblers can cost society $1,200 per year. These numbers include increased costs of crime and bankruptcy.

If those increased costs are why Blagojevich doesn’t support new casinos, then it makes no sense to promote bigger existing ones. While running for office in 2002, Blagojevich said he didn’t support expanding the number of gaming positions at casinos. One can only suppose that position isn’t as politically appealing now that he’s firmly in place as governor.

Blagojevich is right in that schools need more funds, but he should be consistent in the ways he gets the money.