Board members back proposal that would repeal the 2015 ban
Members of the county board’s legislative and policy committee Tuesday backed a proposal that would repeal the 2015 ban. The full county board is expected to vote on the issue on July 18.
In 2009, state lawmakers passed legislation allowing for video gambling. Concerned about the fast growth of video gambling and the proliferation of so-called “café casinos,” county board members in 2015 voted to prohibit video gambling in unincorporated areas of the county but allowing businesses in unincorporated areas that already had video gambling to continue.
On Tuesday, however, board members suggested repealing the ban would level the playing field for businesses in unincorporated areas and also would benefit not for profit groups that can use proceeds from video gambling to pay for programs or other services being offered to the community.
“People have realized that this isn’t the boogeyman,” County Board member Jackie Traynere, D-Bolingbrook, said at Tuesday’s meeting.
Traynere, who heads the legislative and policy committee, added the county, which issues liquor licenses to businesses wishing to have video gambling, retains some control even if the ban is lifted.
Members of the Fort Erie Elks Lodge #167, located in unincorporated Lockport, testified during Tuesday’s public hearing that lifting the ban would provide the organization an alternate source of much-needed revenue to cover the cost of various community programs, such as an annual Easter egg hunt and a back-to-school fair.
“Times have changed, “ said Early J. Deloach, esquire for the Fort Erie Elks Lodge and state director of public relations for the Elks, noting the group has a small membership base. “Our dues will not sustain what we do.”
County Board member Jim Moustis, R-Frankfort, said he supports the fundraising potential video gambling offers to service groups like the Elks, but also noted that lifting the ban also opens the door for any business with a liquor license to bring in video gambling.”
“I don’t see the benefit to the general public,” Moustis said, adding that most people probably know of someone with a gambling problem.
He suggested that rather than lifting the ban, county board members work with state lawmakers to carve out an exception for service groups like the Elks.
Supporters of lifting the ban, however, noted that in addition to helping service groups, the repeal also would create “fairness” for business owners located in unincorporated areas but are at a disadvantage with similar businesses who happened to get their video gambling license before the 2015 ban or with businesses located in nearby municipalities that have not banned it.
“It’s a fairness aspect,” board member Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, said.
Ventura and others also noted that decision to gamble is a personal choice and should not be controlled through legislation.
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