Should OF Allow Video Gambling in Bars?
Removing language that dates back nearly 28 years from the city code that prevents video gambling might be a boost for the local economy, according to the City. Three votes at Tuesday's City Council meeting could open up discussion on the issue.
A series of votes on Tuesday could open up discussion on how to handle video gambling in Oak Forest bars.
Three measures on the agenda for Tuesday's City Council meeting, if approved, would remove language from the city code that prevents the use of video poker and other electronic forms of gambling at establishments with liquor licenses. Removing the language would bring Oak Forest's local ordinances in line with the State of Illinois standards regarding video gambling.
Officials believe lifting the ban would help promote businesses and the local economy, according to city documents.
The intention with pushing forward removing the prohibitive language, which has been in the city code since July 1985, is to create the ability for the City Council to address the issue.
Several Oak Forest businesses who have applied for the annual license have been told their application requests don't line up with local code.
Frankfort, Orland Park, Mokena, Oak Lawn, Palos Heights and New Lenox are among local Illinois cities that have bans in place.
About 300 Illinois municipalities have opted out of the state's Video Gaming Act, which outlines the licensing and use of video gambling devices. It was approved in 2009.
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NANCY GRACE
7:44 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
If it helps lower our property taxes
Tim F
10:32 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
They're doing it anyway. You know, the vidoe game says - "for entertainment purposes only" - RIGHT! Might as well get in on the action.
Tim F
10:33 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
video
Nick Swedberg
11:22 am on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
@Tim—I believe one of the arguments made for regulating and allowing video gambling was because it was already happening off the books.
Peter S.
1:13 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Chicago Heights lifted its ban last week, voting to allow video gaming. It is also not true that "300" municipalities have opted-out of the Act. About 2/3 of said municipalities have been labeled "out" because the Illinois Gaming Board recently found old ordinances prohibiting gambling on their books. Many of these ordinances were from the early 1900s. Many of these municipalities began the process of opting back in to the Act as soon as they learned of the old ordinances and nearly 100 of these municipalities have opted back in over the past three months.
Nick Swedberg
1:37 pm on Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Thanks for the info, Peter!
antigambler
11:19 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Peter S., please name municipalities with ordinances "from the early 1900s".
Brian Cosmo
8:49 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
The Illinois Gaming Board website is the best source of information on this topic. their information is pretty up to date. Right now, there are well over 300 municipalities that have either opted out or having ordinances prohibiting or limiting
gambling.
http://www.igb.illinois.gov/VideoGaming/prohibit.aspx
http://www.igb.illinois.gov/VideoGaming/prohibit.aspx