DuPage County, Illinois was the first in the state to ban video gambling machines in August 2009. Now several businesses and a veterans organization want the prohibition lifted because, said County Board Chairman Dan Cronin, “They think they are at a competitive disadvantage.” The ban affects more than two dozen restaurants, bars and golf courses in unincorporated areas.
At a recent county board meeting, Commander Leo Penkala of VFW Post 2164 said the group needs money to repair its building. “Without a way of securing new revenue sources, Wheaton Post 2164 will be at risk of leaving the community,” he stated. He urged county board members to allow video gambling in unincorporated areas. Jeremy Truex, co-owner of JT’s Porch Saloon & Eatery said his business is losing customers to places that allow video gambling. “There’s money being spent. Why not give people the opportunity to spend it in unincorporated DuPage County?” he asked.
Cronin said, in order to remove the ban, “You’re going to have to find a board member who wants to carry the torch for this issue. As far as I know, there isn’t anybody who has taken on that role at this point.” County board member Robert Larsen said repealing DuPage’s ban would be difficult. “I understand some private entities like the VFWs would like to have the revenue. But where that money comes from tends to be from folks who can least afford it. I just don’t think it’s a good way to raise money for these organizations,” he said.
Illinois legalized video gambling in 2009 and DuPage County took advantage of the opportunity to opt out. At first, towns throughout the county also opted out but in recent years many municipalities have repealed their bans. Now Addison, Aurora, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Darien, Glendale Heights, Itasca, Oakbrook Terrace, Roselle, Villa Park, Westmont, Willowbrook, Wood Dale and Woodridge allow video gambling machines, according to the Illinois Gaming Board. Counties and municipalities that allow video gambling receive 5 percent of each machine’s profit; the state takes 25 percent and establishment owners and terminal operators split the rest.
Gambling opponents also have voiced their opinions at county board meetings. Anti-gambling advocate Kathy Gilroy stated, “This board has no duty to level the playing field for bars. This board has a duty to the welfare of county residents — not just liquor licensees desiring to make money from customers who lose their money in a slot machine.”
