The Orland Park, Illinois council will hold a public forum on video gambling on November 27. The city is one of just a few south and southwest Chicago suburbs that opted out of video gambling before the first games were installed in September 2012. Village Clerk John Mehalek introduced the advisory referendum question, which would ask if Orland Park should prohibit video gambling and would appear on the March 20, 2018 primary ballot.
Trustee Mike Carroll said, “Gaming exists whether we like it or not in the village of Orland Park,” referring to church bingo games or community raffles that offer cash prizes. He noted talks about revisiting the video gambling issue have been ongoing for more than a year. He said businesses outside of Orland Park can discount food and beverage prices to attract customers because gaming revenue makes up for any losses.
Trustee James Dodge said small-business owners have told him they can’t compete with bars and restaurants in neighboring communities that allow video gambling. He said there is a “reasonable way” to allow video gambling and make it “highly, highly restricted.” For example, video gaming machines only would be allowed at establishments that hold Class A liquor licenses.
Mayor Keith Pekau said it made no sense for the board to consider the advisory referendum measure since the gambling devices already are banned in the village. However, Trustee Pat Gira said, “Let’s hear what the residents think.”
