East Dundee voters say no to video poker

Residents of East Dundee have underscored the village board's ban on video gambling, approving an advisory referendum question to ban gambling machines in licensed bars, restaurants and clubs in the village.

With all four precincts reporting, unofficial results showed 238 voters said yes to uphold the village's video gambling ban, while 180 voted no on the issue.

Although the village board approved an ordinance in November prohibiting the gambling machines, trustees said they would gauge public opinion through a nonbinding advisory referendum.

State lawmakers approved the use of video gambling machines outside casinos as a way to fund the state's $31 billion capital improvement plan. Municipalities and counties that control unincorporated areas may ban the machines at a local level, either by ordinance or ballot measure. Communities that allow the machines receive 5 percent of revenues.