Trustees in the Chicago suburb of Tinley Park, Illinois recently adopted an ordinance adding new liquor-license classifications for businesses that also wish to offer video gambling. The approved regulations also create a new classification for a “video gambling” business, where video gambling accounts for 40 percent or more of estimated net revenue.
Some of the new restrictions that apply to video gambling businesses are stricter than state law covering the games. The state requires these operations to be located at least 100 feet away from a school or church; Tinley Park requires that distance to be 500 feet and also includes a day care center or another gaming hall. The new rules will not apply to restaurants or bars that also offer video games.
At the trustees meeting, John Pavlopoulos, owner of Parkside Plaza, asked why board members felt it was necessary to approve ordinances that were stricter than state law. “What are you really trying to accomplish?” he asked. Pavlopoulos said the new distance requirement “basically eliminates my whole plaza from any gaming.” At an earlier meeting Pavlopoulos asked trustees to approve a liquor license for a Lulu’s Café which offers video gambling. The shopping center is far enough away from the Tinley Park Community Church under state rules, but not under the new village requirements. Mayor Dave Seaman responded, “Just because we’ve permitted these types of businesses in some places doesn’t mean we permit them in all places.”
Tinley Park originally opted out of the state’s video gambling provision. But as restaurants and bars complained they could not compete with those in nearby communities where gambling was allowed, city officials reversed their stance, granting video gaming licenses to established bars, restaurants and fraternal organizations.
In addition to a liquor license and a video gambling license issued by the village, a business needs approval from the Illinois Gaming Board to offer video gambling machines.
