Businesses in Chicago are racing to be the first to receive Video Gambling Machines in their establishments. Earlier this week, the Video Gambling Act was signed by Governor Pat Quinn that will allow bars, restaurants and social clubs to install the machines and procure licenses. The state will use the money brought in by these machines to help pay for construction and to create more jobs.
The Illinois Gaming Board will oversee the Act. You may not see gaming machines in establishments until September since they still have to develop regulations. Thirty percent of the net income from each terminal will go to the state as a tax; each video terminal will provide the state 30 percent of the net income. A portion of that amount goes to the state for capital projects and another goes to the local government, which goes to the municipalities that allow the video machines in proportion to their tax revenue. Licensing fees will be collected as well and this money will be split up between the administrator video equipment and to organizations that help compulsive gamblers. The profit will be split between the person that owns the machines and half goes to the licensed establishment.
If a community does not want to participate in video gambling, they are not obligated to. Unincorporated communities can ban them outright while incorporated communities must collect petitions signed by at least 25 percent of the community voters and pass a referendum.
There are many disadvantages to Video Gambling Machines even though the law stands that no one under 21 can use the terminals but it isn’t particularly understood how that will be monitored. Some say the machines are loud and may interfere with other people in the establishment. They are also worried about who will receive these licenses and where the machines will be placed. They believe that some bars that have reputations may lure in people that wouldn’t normally go there. Proponents argue that if people want to gamble they can drive 2 miles over the border and be at a casino.
Apparently, the question of putting Video Gambling machines never went to the public and many are calling for public hearings prior to the placment of the machines. There are several communities that are considering a referendum to ban the machines. They do not want to deal with the social problems that gambling could bring to the community. Some restaurant and bar owners say they would benefit from the income because their revenue is down. They also hope that it will bring in new patrons that might come to their establishments to use the machines.
Most citizens hope that the video gambling machines will not be placed in family restaurants as it would bring unwanted clientele and expose children to gambling. It is unlikely that any true family restaurants would bother bringing them in anyway. It is expected that most of these machines will be placed in establishments that do not cater to children or families with children.
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