The Illinois Gaming Board will consider allowing casinos to operate 24 hours a day, every day of the week. Right now, casinos are allowed to operate a maximum of 22 hours a day. 

Supporters of extending the hours say it is necessary to give casinos equal footing with video gambling at truck stops, which is available 24 hours a day. But opponents of all-day casino hours say it will allow gambling addicts to play for days on end without a break, thereby potentially making their problems worse.

This is not the first time this issue has been considered by the gaming board. 

“We’ve tackled this issue every once in a while and in the past have voted it down,” gaming board chairman Aaron Jaffe said, according to the Chicago Tribune. “But if people want a hearing, we’ll listen to what they have to say and try to give them an answer as soon as possible.”

The Illinois Gaming Board will hear arguments on the issue next week, although a decision on the matter will not likely be made at that time.