Illinois Counties Unsure About Video Gambling Plan
Governor Pat Quinn's signature on a state bill permitting thousands of video gambling devices at bars and restaurants around the state did not result in automatic installation of the gaming machines. Counties and municipalities can still create their own laws preventing the introduction of the games, a practice that may jeopardize the $26 billion infrastructure projects financed largely by revenue from the games.Several counties and towns have followed Rosemont in declaring the machines illegal within their jurisdictions. Kane County officials are the latest to ponder whether to participate in the gambling program.
"Our job is basically to look at this law and make a recommendation about whether we should allow video gambling in Kane County or ban it altogether," Jesse Vasquez, chairman of a county task force studying the video slots, told the Daily Herald.
Ken Shepro, attorney for the county board, said he would not mind a temporary ban on the gaming machines until regulations have been set by the state and issues can be clearly examined. Confusion exists as to the law's exact wording, and how it may affect businesses operating machines with sweepstakes prizes and other non-monetary rewards.
The law as passed requires rules to be set by the Illinois Gaming Board within a couple months, but regulators say they are not staffed nor prepared for such a quick result. They say it's more likely the process will take a year or more.
Meanwhile, Shepro says it's better to be cautious. Allowing the introduction of video gaming before firm regulations exist could leave the county with problems requiring compliance once the rules are created, under grandfathering clauses, according to Shepro.
