Grand Victoria official backtracks on video gambling at wife's restaurant
Grand Victoria Casino's general manager said he and his wife have scrapped a plan to install video gambling machines in his wife's new restaurant in South Elgin.
The decision was prompted by feedback stemming from a Daily Herald story detailing the plan to have up to five machines at Wok n' Hot, which Carrie Thomason - a chef and pastry chef - is opening at 464 Redington Drive in South Elgin, Jim Thomason said.
"I realize it is fair criticism that this is hypocrisy on my part," he said. "I have explained the situation to Carrie, and she has agreed to forego putting gaming machines in the restaurant. It was a very small piece of what she is doing, anyway."
The restaurant, which Carrie Thomason hopes to open in mid-March, will feature Chinese and Asian fusion cuisine. It will have a full bar and outdoor seating, but no video gaming terminals, Jim Thomason said.
"I got some calls today from some friends that I listen to, and I thought, 'OK,' " Jim Thomason said. "It's a lot of people that I consider close that give me good counsel."
He didn't speak with any Elgin officials before making the decision, he said.
In July, he spoke to the Elgin City Council about Grand Victoria losing future revenues to video gambling before the council approved reducing the casino's lease payments. The casino also agreed to continue its efforts to promote summer concerts at Festival Park.
Mayor David Kaptain, who had been critical of the Thomasons' plan to have video gambling machines at Wok n' Hot, said he appreciates their decision to backtrack.
"I believe in people making mistakes, and I think they made a mistake. I think they underestimated what the repercussions would be from their decision to put video gaming in a restaurant, and I very much appreciate their response," Kaptain said.
Kaptain called the issue "a small bump in the road." "One of the things I think is important is that the city and Grand Victoria Casino should not lose track of the long-term vision that we have for Elgin, including long-term plans for entertainment," he said.
Elgin City Manager Sean Stegall agreed.
"I think his reconsidering the placement of the gaming terminals is the right decision, because it will allow the city and Grand Victoria Casino to continue moving forward in a positive fashion," he said.