Dim prospects for video gambling in Palatine

The village council has gotten the message: Palatine residents do not want video gambling in their village.

Last week, just over 60 percent of voters said "no" to an advisory referendum question on whether they'd like to see the state's video gambling program come to town. And a week later the council has made no indication of going against what the voters want.

The referendum question was put forth by Councilman Kollin Kozlowski, who said Monday he was neutral on the issue and wanted to hear what the everyday Palatine resident thought.

"I put out the referendum to get the people's pulse," Kozlowski said. "I think it is a lot easier for 5 or 6 individual business owners to grab our attention and talk to us compared to the people of Palatine."

Kozlowski said he was surprised that there was not a more visible coalition of business owners trying to get the vote out before last week's referendum.

There were a few signs around the village that said "Vote Yes for video gaming in Palatine" and "Let the adults decide how to play."

Councilman Brad Helms said he was a disappointed that only 11 percent of registered voters came to the polls last week but thought it was an accurate representation of where residents are on the issue.

"It's kind of what I've heard as I talk to people in neighborhoods and different areas of Palatine, around 60 percent against and 40 percent for it, so it's been pretty consistent," Helms said.

Councilman Tim Millar said the low turnout was likely an indication of how unmotivated voters were by the issue.

"If they were stronger for or against something they would come out in numbers," Millar said.

According to the Illinois Gaming Board, five out of the seven closest municipalities to Palatine have passed ordinances banning video gambling: Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg, Barrington and Deer Park. Lake Zurich and Inverness allow video gambling

Under state law, counties and towns that allow video gambling receive 5 percent of each machine's revenue above what's paid out. The state receives 25 percent, with the rest to be evenly split between establishment owners and the terminal operators.

The referendum was nonbinding, so the village council could still take up the issue if it wanted.