The village board of Arlington Heights, Illinois recently voted unanimously to draft an ordinance banning electronic sweepstakes machines, which have appeared at three liquor stores, a newsstand and a laundromat.
Trustee John Scaletta said, “I think it’s just one big loophole. I think it’s just as close to video gaming as you can get.” Trustee Rich Baldino stated, “I don’t think it’s a loophole. I think it’s gambling. This is video gambling.”
Video gambling has been prohibited in the community since before it launched throughout the state in 2012. According to the Illinois Gaming Board, the sweepstakes machines are “illegal gambling devices,” although they’re not specifically banned under state law.
Attorney Cory Aronovitz, representing sweepstakes machine operators, asked trustees to allow the machines, and establish a process to license and tax them. He said a single machine could generate $10,000 in annual tax revenue for the municipality. Representatives of sweepstakes machine software developers also noted they help generate income for small businesses.
The software developers said the machines are similar to McDonald’s Monopoly sweepstakes game, which dispense coupons after customers make a food purchase. The machines offer two free credits, players must insert money to continue playing. Winners receive coupons to buy products at individual businesses or cash.
Arlington Heights police began an investigation into the games in May. The businesses where they operated agreed to unplug them pending further review.
