Three of eight Des Plaines, Illinois aldermen recently said they’d support allowing video gambling machines in the city, where Rivers Casino is located. Several business owners and residents expressed their desire for the machines at a recent city council meeting. Aldermen did not vote on the issue but asked city staff to research it.
Business owners said the video gambling machines could help them compete as surrounding communities like Mount Prospect, Elk Grove Village, Prospect Heights and unincorporated Cook County allow the machines.
Sixth Ward Alderman Malcolm Chester said the video gambling machine ban is unfair to the city’s small businesses. “We want our small businesses to survive. We want them to be competitive with neighboring communities.”
However, some aldermen said allowing video gambling could negatively affect political and financial relations with the state. For example, Eighth Ward Alderman Mike Charewicz said Des Plaines could be “in a very awkward position in a way” if another casino is approved for Chicago or elsewhere. It would be difficult for Des Plaines to lobby for “concessions” from the state as one of the cities with an existing casino.
Rivers Casino last year agreed to give the city up to $2 million to buy and renovate the Des Plaines Theatre, the key to the city’s plan to revitalize downtown with new restaurants, bars and other businesses.
