Lake Zurich approves video gambling at BBQ'd Productions

Diners at BBQ'd Productions Sports Bar & Grill in Lake Zurich will soon be able to have a side of gambling with their meals, after the village board voted Monday to allow the restaurant to operate five video gambling machines.

Mike Platt, BBQ'd Productions' director of operations, said the machines already are in the restaurant and waiting for the state to turn them on. He hopes that happens as soon as next week.

"We already applied for the state gaming license and were approved within the last month," Platt said. "Anytime a new machine is installed, a state police gaming agent has to be there."

Platt said many customers who've seen the powered-down machines have said they are excited to see them.

"We've gotten a lot of compliments from guests on them," Platt said. "We're providing a clean, fun environment for them and it means they don't have to travel down to Des Plaines or up to Milwaukee (to gamble)."

BBQ'd Productions is just the kind of establishment where the Lake Zurich village board wants to see video gambling. In August, the board voted to clarify their video gambling rules and allow them only in businesses in which it is not the primary source of revenue.

Michael Duebner, the village's innovation director, said there are several such businesses in town that were established before the rule change.

"We appreciate them being in Lake Zurich, and as long as they pay their fees they are welcome to continue operating," Duebner said. "I think you'd consider them to be grandfathered in."

It was very clear to them that BBQ'd Productions met the new criteria.

"They have a full-service kitchen and waitstaff and a big smoker," Duebner said. "Any gaming would be secondary for them."

BBQ'd Productions Sports Bar & Grill is at 405 N. Rand Road. The same owners also operate the original BBQ'd Productions location in Third Lake.