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Algonquin approves video gambling laws

The Algonquin village board has approved an ordinance that spells out under what conditions video gambling will be allowed.

The ordinance passed in a 5 to 2 vote Tuesday, with Village President John Schmitt and Trustee Brian Dianis voting against it.

The ordinance includes the following provisions:

Ÿ The license will be tied an establishment’s liquor license. If a business owner has a violation against the video gambling license the liquor license would also be in jeopardy.

Ÿ All money the village receives through video gambling from the state will go into the park fund starting in the next fiscal year. Money from licenses, fees and fines will be deposited into the general fund to offset administration, inspection and enforcement expenses related to the ordinance.

Ÿ Video gambling terminals must operate in an area that’s restricted to people younger than 21.

Ÿ If a machine breaks a business owner doesn’t need to reapply for a new video gambling license.

Ÿ If training for responsible gaming ever becomes available, it will be required as part of the application process.

Ÿ The addition of language that says security cameras monitoring the machines must meet the village’s requirements.

While multiple towns started approving video gambling last summer, Algonquin took a six-month break to study how it was going elsewhere.

At last week’s committee of the whole discussion on the ordinance, several small business owners said they needed video gambling to generate extra revenue.

That was one of the reasons Trustee Jerry Glogowski changed his vote to support video gambling.

“It gives them an opportunity to make some money they probably really need to survive,” Glogowski said. “Some of those businesses are really hurting and I understand their reasons why they wanted (video gambling). Also, the ordinance had to be pretty ironclad in order for it to be allowed in Algonquin.”

“I’m actually OK with the way the ordinance came out, that they’re putting controls in place and making sure that they’re adequately securing the areas,” Dianis said Wednesday. “But in general, I think video gambling is not something that I’d like to see in town.”

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