Hoffman Estates closer to video gaming decision

Hoffman Estates may be moving closer to video gambling, with two upcoming public hearings on the topic, Illinois Gaming Board approval of a video gambling license for a village restaurant last week and support from Mayor William McLeod.

McLeod said he is personally in favor of video gambling coming to the village because it would provide establishments with another source of income and “help them survive.” He does not believe anyone on the village board has voiced objections to video gambling in the past.

Because the village hasn’t moved to ban video gambling, it could be on track to automatically allow it in eligible establishments once the Illinois Gaming Board begins operations, which could occur as early as Aug. 1.

However, the village board still needs to approve an ordinance amending parts of the municipal and zoning codes to make them consistent with the Illinois Gaming Act.

McLeod said the first of two public hearings will be held during aplanning and zoning commission meeting on July 18, where proposed amendments will also be discussed.

Members of the village board met as a committee last week to look at the proposed amendments, which would distinguish video gambling terminals from amusement devices, and set annual fees at $500 per operator and $100 per video gaming terminal.

A vote on the ordinance that would amend both the codes will occur at a village board meeting later in July. Residents will also have a chance to speak at a public hearing during that meeting.

If the village doesn’t ban video gambling outright, up to five video gaming terminals could be allowed in each of 40 eligible establishments in Hoffman Estates, including the Sears Centre Arena and The Assembly American Bar and Cafe, the restaurant that received approval from the Gaming Board last week.

McLeod said it is “really hard to say” how many eligible establishments would actually install video gaming terminals, but he knows of at least three or four that have expressed interest.

Eligible chain restaurants, he said, will probably not bring in video gaming right away, but locally owned businesses might make a decision quicker.

As far as the cut of revenue that the village would receive from the terminals, McLeod said it will likely go to the general fund, but that it still needs to be discussed.