The 2009 Video Gaming Act

PINGREE GROVE -- The one item on the Pingree Grove Village Board's agenda Tuesday night that seemed as if it could spur debate resulted in none at all, much to the chagrin of Village President Wyman "Clint" Carey.

CHICAGO -- Key members of the Illinois Coin Machine Operators Association have told VT that Chicago's leading newspapers display consistent bias against the state's planned video lottery industry. When local communities decide to opt out of the VLT market, the impact is exaggerated in big headlines. But when jurisdictions vote to participate in the gaming program, their decisions receive scant coverage, claims one Illinois operator. Recently, Aurora and Rockford -- the second and third largest cities in the state -- voted down proposed ordinances that would have banned VLTs, but few stories were published in the state's leading press outlets.

"People voted for the capital bill. They wanted all the money it provides, but they don't want to pay for it. There has to be a consequence," said Sen. Mike Jacobs (D-East Moline), the bill's chief sponsor.

DECATUR  - While customers won't notice them for at least another year, some Decatur businesses are preparing for the arrival of new video poker machines that will legalize gambling at local taverns and restaurants.

We believe there are social costs to gambling but also think that government should only go so far to protect us from ourselves. People who are susceptible to addictive behaviors will find an outlet.

It’s time to take advantage of new legal sources of revenue.

The board voted 12-11 in December to make Kane the fifth county in northern Illinois to ban the licensing of video poker and other gambling machines to businesses with liquor licenses.

However, three board members who were absent from that meeting and missed the vote likely would have opposed the ban, according to County Board member Jesse Vazquez of Montgomery, who headed the county video gambling task force that had recommended against the ban

The revenue generated by these video games is for a specific purpose. It will go to help pay off the bonds for the state’s long-needed and often neglected capital construction plan. Illinois had not passed a capital construction plan since 1999. That’s why the state’s roads and bridges are in such sorry shape.

As of right now, video gambling is legal in Rockford but a vote from city council this month could opt us out of the extra revenue source.

Incredible Technologies, the Arlington Heights, Illinois based company that is the largest manufacturer of coin-operated video games in the United States, recently passed a major hurdle in its quest to enter the casino gaming sector.

It was announced last month that Gaming Laboratories International gave regulatory approval to IT's innovative Magic Touch gaming platform line of video slot, poker and keno games.

JOLIET -- Banning video gaming in Will County will keep union laborers from working and much-needed road and bridge improvements from being done, union representatives said Wednesday night.

RENO, Nev., Nov. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- International Game Technology (NYSE: IGT) announced today a memorandum of understanding with American Vending Sales (AVS) naming AVS as the exclusive distributor of IGT products for the upcoming Illinois Video Lottery Market. Under the agreement, AVS will provide IGT's games to operators in the Illinois Video Lottery Market.

Towns weighing options as sides argue pros, cons.
Local 150 President James Sweeney said his union is lobbying state officials to withhold funds proportionately from towns and counties that outlaw video gambling.

"We are going to look to (some legislator) to carry the banner on if a city or town or county opts out of video poker, then you must opt out of that 28 percent of the capital money that would have come your way otherwise," he said. "Why should that money go to those places on an equal basis? It would be patently unfair."

Sweeney accused politicians such as DuPage County Board Chairman and gubernatorial candidate Robert Schillerstrom of banning video gambling "for their own political gain."

The House voted 66-46 today for Senate Bill 744, which makes several changes to the video poker legalization lawmakers approved earlier this year to help pay for a major construction program. The bill needed 71 ‘yes’ votes to pass but could come up for another vote this afternoon.

The severity of Iowa government's budget crisis will cause lawmakers to take a second look at allowing video gambling machines in taverns and fraternal clubs, according to key legislators.

This time around, video gambling could be resurrected under a tighter, more restricted framework limiting the games to adult-oriented establishments serving alcoholic beverages, several lawmakers said this week. The potential for video gambling to quickly generate additional revenue to help close massive budget shortfalls can't be ignored, officials said.

So the question is why? Why did Bridget Gainer, a 19th Ward political princess and former lobbyist for the past 8 years for the AON Insurance Corporation, decide to make legalizing video gaming machines a major issue?

Benton Mayor Gary Kraft says, after Monday's city council meeting, he is not convinced video gambling will hurt his community. He's hopeful the tax money gained from the machines at local bars will help the city's budget.

"The reality is that video gaming will not be coming to a bar near you for probably another year," said Fiedler. "During that time, the Illinois Gaming Commission will be developing its plans to oversee video gaming operations and the licensees who install the machines. This group has earned high marks for its ability to regulate other legalized gaming industries in Illinois.

"Local officials have nothing to lose by waiting to see how these plans shape up and researching the pros and cons in the interim. Knee-jerk decisions are not in the best interests of all their constituents," he said.

Madison County Board member Kelly Tracy, a Democrat, agreed. "I don't think the outlook would be the same here as in Chicago," said Tracy, who suggested legalization could help control something "that's happening anyway."