The Chicago Crime Commission announced it has begun a campaign to eliminate unregulated sweepstakes machines in bars and other venues. The games are similar to legal slot machines. Only about 100 gambling machines have been targeted. The Illinois Gaming Commission said it supports the Crime Commission’s campaign.
Although it’s not a huge issue at the moment, casino operators are concerned the number of illegal and legal machines could grow. Currently the state’s 10 casinos offer 29,000 slots, which generated $98 million in winnings in September.
But catching up fast are the 18,000-plus electronic gambling machines in 4,500 licensed bars, restaurants, truck stops and veterans and fraternal establishments in communities throughout the state. Each location is allowed to have up to five machines. In September these games generated $57.8 million in win and last year paid $90 million in gaming taxes. Analysts predict in five years, 30,000 video gambling machines will be available.
Video gambling already is having an impact on casinos, which invest millions of dollars, employ thousands of people and must pay insurance, utilities, taxes and the other expenses associated with running a major operation. The gambling machines pay state gaming taxes, but compared to casinos, their small host establishments do not stimulate the state economy through capital investment or job creation.
