It has been reported that a federal district court in Illinois has found racetrack owner John Johnston liable on three counts in a civil racketeering case.

An article on the situation by The Beacon-News explains that the case is in regard to the conduct which was undertook by former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Four riverboat casinos in Illinois have now been awarded $26.3 million in damages, and, via the court's decision, Balmoral Park and Maywood Park now have to pay a total of $77.8 million to four of the state's riverboat casinos.

According to the report, the $26.3 million roughly represents the three per cent tax money that was charged to the four riverboat casinos from 2008 and 2010 and that ultimately went to Balmoral Park and Maywood Park.

For background on the situation, click here.

(With files from the The Beacon-News)