Hoffman Estates Mayor doesn't like odds on OTB
After years of speculation about an off-track betting parlor coming to Hoffman Estates, a gaming company on Monday unveiled plans for one inside Poplar Creek Bowl to a lukewarm reaction by the village board.
Inter-Track Partners, based in Melrose Park, owns 16 OTBs across the state. Its officials project a Hoffman Estates OTB would generate between $15 million and $20 million in betting receipts annually.
That breaks down to $150,000 to $200,000 annually each for both the village and Cook County, said Bob Bilocerowycz, president of Inter-Track Partners.
The parlor would be inside the bar area, away from any children and the bowling lanes, Bilocerowycz said. He said his OTB would have stricter regulations than a 24-hour convenience store, which Bilocerowycz said allows children easy access to lottery tickets, pornography and alcohol.
Bilocerowycz also said his targeted audience would be retired and professionals about to retire, ages 40 and up.
"They're part of the community, too," he said.
Mayor William McLeod, while holding nothing morally against betting, said he isn't a fan of the site at 2354 W. Higgins Road at the Barrington Square Mall. He said the area is one of the most densely packed residential areas in the village.
"I think it's a bad location," he said.
Other board members held similar concerns, skeptical about the project. The parlor still is a ways off as the plan needs various village approvals, including a possible site plan adjustment and special-use permit. Inter-Track would also need a gaming license from the Illinois Racing Board.
The company had also considered opening an OTB at the village's Prairie Stone Business Park, Bilocerowycz said.
Hoffman Estates officials shared the similar concerns other village boards have had when encountering an OTB proposal. Officials in Elk Grove Village debated if an OTB was family-friendly and appropriate before it allowed Bilocerowycz to go ahead with the Ringside Sports Bar and OTB.
State law restricts the placements of OTBs. They can't be within 10 miles of another OTB -- the Elk Grove Village parlor would be 12 miles away from Poplar Creek. They also can't be within 500 feet of a church or school.
Advance Preschool Inc. resides at 2320 W. Higgins Road at Barrington Square Mall. Bilocerowycz said the day care center would not fall under the school category and hinder his plans.
Bilocerowycz said the Hoffman Estates project would have higher ceilings and more space compared to Elk Grove Village's.
"We'll do it bigger and better," he said.
Inter-Track had plans to open an OTB last year at a Buffalo Grove gaming center, eSkape, which includes a bowling alley. Those plans failed to progress.
The state racing board renews OTB licenses each year and could issue a total of 37 annually. The board approved a license in March for a Villa Park parlor.
Joseph Caruso, general manager of Barrington Square, said he wasn't a fan of the OTB when he first heard the plan. But he said after further investigation that it would be a good addition to the shopping center, something that would draw customers to other stores.
Richard Griggs, owner of Poplar Creek Bowl, also attended the meeting in support of the project. Bowling alleys have taken a financial hit in recent years. Arcade video games no longer draw customers who are intent to stay in and play on their home video game systems. The state indoor smoking ban has also hurt the lanes, Griggs has said in the past.