Lombard board to consider lifting video gambling ban tonight

The Lombard village board will continue discussions Thursday night about the possibility of lifting a ban on video gambling.

At 6 p.m., prior to the start of the regular village board meeting, a special workshop will be held at village hall to address specific policy issues related to video gambling.

Those issues include the setting of a registration fee, a proposed evaluation period, liquor licenses, temporary signs and zoning considerations.

The board will then meet at 7:30 p.m. Time for public comment will be provided during the meeting for individuals wishing to share their opinions with the board.

Two ordinances related to the current ban will be considered by the board on a first reading. If approved, one of the ordinances would lift the ban, while the other would establish a registration fee for gaming terminals.

Trustees Laura Fitzpatrick and Peter Breen voiced strong opposition to lifting the ban when the ordinances were first discussed in May. But multiple business owners have expressed their desire to have video gaming in their establishments.

Village Manager Scott Niehaus said there are estimates that the village could collect about $125,000 annually if just 15 of the eligible locations in Lombard installed the maximum of five terminals allowed by the state.

Video gambling has been approved in 16 DuPage County towns since state lawmakers made it legal in 2009, including Addison, Oakbrook Terrace and Villa Park.

It is banned in 18 other DuPage municipalities, including Bloomingdale, Downers Grove and Glen Ellyn.