Video gambling debate comes to Schaumburg

Anti-gambling activist Tom Grey has returned to the state hoping to persuade local officials to ban video gambling. He appeared Thursday night at Our Redeemers United Methodist Church in Schaumburg to make a presentation to a crowd of about 35.

Grey, of the national group Stop Predatory Gambling, said the state has enough gambling options, like the lottery and 50-50 raffles. He's never seen a group of residents who have banded together to bring more gambling to the state.

"If anyone in Illinois had gambling itch that they can't scratch, they really have a problem," he said.

Despite the church's objection to gambling, Schaumburg church officials said they wanted to present both sides of the argument. That's why they invited Richard Mitchell, executive director of the Illinois Coin Machine Operators Association. Mitchell said video gambling could bring customers to taverns hit hard by the economy.

"It will kick-start Illinois' economy and get people back to work," he said.

The timing of the bill angered Streamwood resident JoAnne Gregorash, who said gambling would be too much of a temptation to residents suffering through the slumping economy.

"Who decided in this down economy to push this?" she said.

A member of the audience asked where the money to regulate video gambling would come from. Mitchell answered that it would likely come from money from machine licenses. Streamwood resident Steve Miller didn't believe the response, recalling the supposed boost public schools were going to receive from the state lottery.

"I can remember where the lottery money was supposed to go," he said.

Mitchell addressed supposed myths about gambling, including a perceived increase in crime.

Cook County officials could vote on Oct. 14 to ban video gambling in unincorporated parts. DuPage County officials have already approved such a ban in August.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed the video gambling bill as part of a $31 billion public works improvement program that would help with road construction.

Grey blames the government for ignoring morals and capitalizing on gambling to raise money. He said he wished residents had the chance to vote on the matter.

"When a government makes losers of its own citizens, the recourse is those citizens have every right to hold their government accountability for their due diligence," he said.

"The only ones that win are the owners of the casino."

Grey wants other towns to opt out of the bill like Rosemont and Buffalo Grove already have. Local officials, including ones from Bartlett and Schaumburg were invited to attend, but none showed up.

Schaumburg Village Manager Ken Fritz said earlier Thursday that village officials are waiting for the state gambling board to reveal its rules and regulations from video gambling. The village has also two months ago polled restaurants and businesses about how video gambling would affect customers. Data has been inconclusive, Fritz said.

Grey and a member of the Illinois Coin Machine Operators Association will also appear Wednesday, Sept. 30, in Barrington at a similar event.

• Daily Herald staff writer Eric Peterson contributed to this report