Hoffman Estates moves closer to allowing video gambling

The Hoffman Estates village board approved a zoning code amendment this week that excludes state-licensed video gaming terminals from the village’s definition of “amusement device,” a move that brings officials closer to authorizing video gambling in village establishments.

The amendment was made to avoid confusion between a traditional amusement device, such as a pinball machine, and video gaming terminals, which will not be regulated by the village zoning code.

Peter Gugliotta, the village’s director of planning, said the amendment also set annual village fees — at $100 per terminal for a local video gaming license and $500 per terminal operator — in addition to the state fees eligible establishments and operators will have to pay.

State licenses for video gambling machines require the terminals to be located only in establishments where alcohol is served and to be used only by patrons over the legal gambling age.

Up to five video gambling terminals could be allowed in each of the 40 eligible establishments in the village. It is unclear how many establishments might go forward with installing video gambling terminals, although The Assembly American Bar and Cafe, 2570 Hassell Road, already has been granted approval for a license by the Illinois Gaming Board.