Round Lake reverses course on video gambling
Round Lake has joined a growing list of suburbs to approve video gambling at bars, restaurants, truck stops and other eligible establishments in the community.
Village trustees recently voted 6-0 to reverse a previous village board's ordinance that had banned video gaming in town.
Round Lake Depot II on Railroad Avenue was the first in the village to apply to the Illinois Gaming Board for a license soon after the officials approved the ordinance July 16. State records Monday didn't show any other pending video gaming applications from Round Lake.
With the board's action, Round Lake joins a smattering of suburbs to approve ordinances opening the door to video gambling. That list includes Round Lake Heights, Wauconda, Lakemoor, Fox Lake, Elk Grove Village, Prospect Heights, Huntley and Winfield.
Round Lake Trustee Susan Triphahn said video gaming will be worthwhile for whatever financial gains it produces for the village and its businesses.
“Our businesses need this push in this economic time,” Triphahn said Monday.
Under Round Lake's ordinance, all licensed video gambling locations will pay an annual $25 registration fee for each terminal offering games such as poker and blackjack. Players must receive free games or credits redeemable for cash, according to the ordinance.
Video gambling was legalized by the state in 2009 as a way to raise $31 billion for capital improvements. No more than five machines can be placed in licensed truck stops, restaurants with liquor licenses, bars, clubs or halls of fraternal and veterans organizations.
Elected officials in roughly 150 communities and six counties statewide have voted to prohibit video gaming within their borders.
Under the state's video gaming act, towns can receive 5 percent of net income from the terminals after winnings are paid to the players. The state will reap 25 percent, with business owners and machine operators taking an even split of the remainder.