Carpentersville behind video gambling ban

Video gambling machines are banned in Carpentersville - at least for the time being. Trustees this week approved an ordinance prohibiting the machines in licensed bars, restaurants, truck stops and fraternal organizations until the Illinois Gaming Board finalizes rules and regulations for the video gaming act.

The act, signed into law in July, allows the village to give licenses for up to five video gambling machines to establishments that serve liquor. Revenue from the machines is earmarked to fund one-third of the state's $31 billion capital program.

Trustees said the village has not made a definitive decision on permitting or prohibiting the machines, which are estimated to generate about $2,500 per machine annually for the village.

"We are not banning video gaming; we are putting a moratorium on it until we get more information," Trustee Judy Sigwalt said. "It is not fair to vote up or down on the issue without all of the information we need to make an educated vote."

Trustee Bradford McFeggan used a similar argument to explain his reasons for joining Trustee Keith Hinz in voting against the ban. McFeggan said there was too much uncertainty regarding how the vote would impact existing video gambling machines that do not provide winnings.

"The machines that are in some establishments now are technically video gaming machines," McFeggan said. "I wanted to know if business owners would be forced to get rid of them. While the answer was that they would probably be able to keep them, I got the feeling (the village staff) weren't sure. We don't have any rules and I didn't feel comfortable making a decision at this time."

Village Manager Craig Anderson said officials would reconsider the ban once the state gaming board approves rules and regulations.

"Once the state promulgates its final rules and the board decides video gambling is a good thing, the board can rescind the ordinance to have video gambling," Anderson said. "The village can come back and change it at anytime."

Neighboring West Dundee will not take action until rules are in place, while East Dundee has banned the machines while awaiting a referendum in February. Kane County has banned the machines in unincorporated areas, but county board members are expected to reconsider the decision at an upcoming meeting.