More video gambling coming to Carol Stream?

More than three years ago, Carol Stream extended a lifeline to slumping restaurants by allowing them to install video gambling machines, Mayor Frank Saverino says.

Since then, the village has allowed the gambling devices only in existing businesses, 10 of which have enjoyed major profits as a result.

In September alone, $951,543 in bets were placed at a total of 47 machines spread across the village, the state gaming board's latest tallies show. After taxes, the establishments collectively raked in $180,984 that month.

"Now we want to take it to the next level," Saverino said.

Trustees are studying whether to expand video gambling to also consider requests from new businesses. Saverino again sees potential, this time to fill vacant storefronts in struggling strip malls with gambling cafes, an exploding concept in the industry. He hopes that with more rental income, landlords will invest in improvements to shopping centers.

"We want to try and figure out how we can get shop owners and strip mall owners in certain parts of this town that will work with us to increase the curb appeal," he said during a village board meeting this week.

Illinois allows up to five terminals in a business with a municipal liquor license. To obtain the permit in Carol Stream, 50 percent of sales have to come from food, Village Manager Joe Breinig said.

Later this month, the board likely will vote on whether to raise a village fee by $50 to $550. The licenses are up for renewal in April, and the timeline would give current permit holders plenty of notice of the fee increase, Breinig said.

The 10 establishments with video gambling are Bulldog Ale House, Playoffs Bar & Grill, Gametime Pub, Pub Yahoo, Manhattan's, RoccoVino's, Spectator's Pub & Grill, Tracy's Cafe, Flip Flops Tiki Bar and Grill, and Village Tavern & Grill. An 11th establishment, Augustino's Rock and Roll Deli, better known as Augie's, has applied for a state license, according to the gaming board.

"We have not had a glitch, not one problem that has come before us in four years since we've approved it," Saverino said.

Owners and operators each get 35 percent of the net income from gambling, the state gets 25 percent and towns receive 5 percent. In September, the village received about $12,927 and the state, $64,637.

The village's portion of the money funnels into its general operating fund.