Lombard keeps video gambling after voters send message of support

Lombard trustees have made a trial run with video gambling permanent, settling a long-running debate on the machines.

The board has repealed a sunset clause on a village ordinance that originally allowed video gambling on a temporary basis. The village's experiment with video gambling was set to automatically expire at the end of the month.

But trustees agreed to keep the terminals in town after a majority of Lombard voters approved of video gambling in an advisory question on the ballot last month.

Official election totals show 11,957 voters, or 52.4%, said "yes" to video gambling, with 10,857, or 47.5%, against.

Five businesses had machines as of last month, Lombard officials say. Village President Keith Giagnorio voiced support for video gambling, saying business owners could use the money from operating terminals as they try to weather the pandemic.

"This doesn't force anybody to go video gaming," Giagnorio said after the board's vote during a virtual meeting Thursday night. "But it gives our businesses an opportunity, and at this time with COVID, it couldn't come at a better time."

Casinos and video gambling terminals have remained closed since Nov. 20, when the entire state fell under stricter restrictions, known as Tier 3 mitigations, in response to a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions.

"Hopefully, we can get them back online, and they can start making some money," Giagnorio said.

Trustee Reid Foltyniewicz was the lone dissenting vote. Trustee Andrew Honig said he's personally opposed to video gambling but that he would follow the will of voters.

"I do think it is my obligation and my job to represent Lombard and what the wishes are," he said.

Illinois legalized video gambling in 2009, but municipalities were able to opt out.

Counties and towns that allow video gambling receive 5% of the machines' net revenues. The state collects 25%, while the establishment owners and terminal operators evenly split the remaining 70%.

Lombard had 25 terminals spread across five licensed businesses in October, according to the most recent report available from the Illinois Gaming Board. The five establishments are Punky's Irish Pub, Enchanted Castle, Lombard Moose Lodge No. 2350, Otto's Tavern and Sal's Pizza Pub.

The village made $4,668 from its share in October, while the state netted $27,077, the latest figures show.

Lombard overturned a ban on video gambling and began the trial period last year.