Slots at Arlington racecourse? Sure. But candidates split on other locations

All six candidates running for village board in Arlington Heights support expanding gambling at Arlington International Racecourse to include slot machines, but they are more split on whether video gambling should expand to restaurants and other businesses in the village.

The six candidates running for four seats on the village board in the April 7 municipal election sounded off on the future of gambling at a candidate forum sponsored by the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday night.

The overwhelming support for slots at the track marks a shift from the past when most of the village board was opposed to the idea, which in previous proposals have included as many as 1,200 slots at the track. As years have passed and Springfield has delayed passing a bill that would allow for the expansion, Arlington Park officials have made their case that without the additional revenue video gambling could bring, the track's future is in danger.

“Our community loves the track and would not want to see them leave,” Trustee John Scaletta said on Tuesday in voicing his support.

“I would support slot machines at the track. The racecourse is an important venue in Arlington Heights,” agreed candidate Tom Schwingbeck.

But he said he would like the stipulation that slots are active only when the horse racing is as well.

“I know it's a challenging time for the racing industry so I would like to do what we can for them,” Trustee Robin LaBedz said.

Mayor Tom Hayes has long opposed slots at the track and said an expansion could lead to a casino in Arlington Heights, but the majority has shifted during his more than 20 years as an elected official.

Trustee Mike Sidor, who in 2011 opposed the idea, said he would be in favor of video gambling at the track as long as it is a “very nice, high-class, well-done facility.”

But, when it comes to expanding gambling beyond the track, most of the candidates say they are against it.

Scaletta said slot machines at other businesses would make the town less family-friendly.

“I don't see any upside in letting video gambling in our restaurants, stores and entertainment venues,” Schwingbeck said.

Candidate D. Court Harris said he would only also only support video gambling at the track and not beyond.

“Keeping it in one location makes it easier to police and is less of a drain on our resources,” he said.

LaBedz said she doesn't think it's smart for municipalities to rely on gambling revenue to plug budget holes.

“It's an unreliable source of revenue. It goes up and down,” she said.

Trustees Carol Blackwood, who has long supported slots at the track, and Sidor said they would be open to video gambling at restaurants.

“During these economic times we as trustees need to be open and available to discussion for anything,” Blackwood said.

Sidor said there needs to be a discussion of Arlington Heights' brand before making a decision about video gambling.

“How would video gaming in other establishment fit, or not fit, into that brand?” Sidor said. “I'm open for discussion, but I think first we have to determine where we're going as a village and if that would fit into our vision for the future.”