Winfield wants control of its own revenue

Winfield officials apparently don't want to take a chance with video gambling.

Village board members on Thursday night directed staff to draft an ordinance that would prohibit the video gambling machines that Illinois legalized to help raise money for capital improvements.

If the local law is approved in the coming weeks, the ban would remain in place until Dec. 31, 2010.

"By taking this action, we really are in control of our own destiny rather than getting forced into a situation that might not be in the best interest of the village," Trustee Charles Martschinke said.

Earlier this year, Gov. Pat Quinn approved a $31 billion capital improvement package that allowed video gambling. Still, towns have the ability to outlaw the machines in their communities.

Winfield officials say a local ban might be prudent because there are unanswered questions about how the state is going to regulate video gambling. The Illinois Gaming Board, for example, isn't expected to publish any rules or issue permits until next year.

According to the new state law, counties and towns that allow video gambling will receive 5 percent of a machine's profit. The state will receive 25 percent, while establishment owners and the terminal operators evenly split the rest.

Winfield officials say four establishments in the village could be eligible to install up to five video gambling machines.

It's estimated that an establishment with the maximum of five machines could generate up to $11,250 a year for the village. So if all four Winfield locations had the devices, the village's share of the revenue could be about $45,000 annually.

"Although $45,000 doesn't seem like a lot," Trustee Jay Olson said, "we have some pretty significant village goals that we're trying to achieve this year in terms of increasing revenues and continuing to do some good things with our budget."

Olson said he likes the fact that Winfield's proposed ban would have an expiration date so the issue could be reconsidered at that time.

But when it comes to right now, Trustee Glenn VadeBonCoeur says residents have made it very clear about what they want.

"Our residents do not want video gambling," he said. "I hear you. I don't believe video gambling is keeping with our way of life."