Video poker unlikely in W. Dundee

The odds of West Dundee allowing video gambling machines are at best slim, with some trustees hinting Monday they would support a local law prohibiting the machines in restaurants, bars and clubs.

Though no formal action was taken at Monday's village board meeting, trustees voiced concern regarding enforcement and tarnishing the village's image.

"It will take a lot for me to be in favor of this," Trustee Becky Gillam said about village gambling machines. "I don't think the revenue is there ... and I think it would be a huge burden on our police department."

In July, Gov. Pat Quinn signed a video gambling bill that would allow gambling machines in restaurants, taverns, truck stops, and fraternal and veterans establishments. A maximum of five video gaming machines are allowed per establishment. The maximum bet is $2, and the most a person could win in a single hand is $500.

Under the bill, municipalities and counties that control unincorporated areas may draft an ordinance or a ballot measure to ban the machines. By doing so, the village waives a 5 percent take on gambling revenues.

Village Manager Joe Cavallaro estimated the machines would generate about $50,000 in revenue annually.

But Trustee Andrew Yuscka said the village should consider the village's reputation should it allow the video gambling machines.

"It depends on the image you want for the village," Yuscka said. "Is it all about revenue and making gambling a priority? Or do we want the small-town, hometown feeling that we are trying to project? Once you let something like that in, you are taking away from that (feeling)."

A number of municipalities already have introduced measures banning the machines, including Rosemont and Country Club Hills. The DuPage County Board banned video gambling in unincorporated areas. Mettawa in Lake County has directed attorneys to draft an ordinance barring video gambling. Others still, like Mount Prospect and Schaumburg, are seeking business and resident input before discussing the issue.

Meanwhile, Kane County formed a task force to determine the impact of video gambling.

Unlikely: Village board has yet to take formal action