I received this email regarding my posting of the various newspaper articles on video poker in Illinois. I am posting that email in its entirety and hope it may supply more information on this issue.
Under the state’s new capital bill local government can opt out of having video poker gambling in their local communities. Unincorporated DuPage County has already opted out by a vote of their county board. The issue can also go to referendum if the local government wishes.
Hi Bill,
Since you've covered this issue recently for the Boone County Watch Dog, I thought you might be interested in this perspective on the video gaming issue that's currently being discussed within Illinois communities. Please call if you have additional questions.
Regards,
Chris Scott
Senior Vice President
Hodge Schindler Integrated Communications
900 N. Franklin Street
Chicago, IL 60610
312.666.6662 (voice)
312.666.1670 (fax)
ICMOA Chief Urges Weighing of Facts Before Banning Video Gaming
MORRIS, Ill. (August 19, 2009) – The leader of the Illinois Coin Machine Operators Association (ICMOA) expressed disappointment at the precipitous handful of local bans prohibiting video gaming under the state’s recently approved legislation permitting it in bars and certain other adult-oriented venues.
“DuPage County’s ban in unincorporated areas, and similar actions by communities like Rosemont and Country Club Hills, seem to be based more on myths about gaming than on rational consideration of the facts,” said Tom Fiedler, president of the ICMOA and owner of Melody Music in Champaign.
He congratulated the Will County Board for its more measured response; it delayed until late fall its consideration of the issue while it weighs the facts.
Video gaming was approved by legislators in July as a means of partially funding a $31 billion public works program. It permits up to five video gambling machines offering games like poker or blackjack at bars and certain restaurants, fraternal and veterans groups and truck stops. The maximum bet is $2; the most a gambler could win on any one hand is $500.
Fiedler said video gaming will alleviate some of the financial pressures facing the state and many of its municipalities, and could generate as much as $300 million a year. “That should be weighed into considerations, especially since other sources of revenue – say, an increase in income taxes – are even more controversial than video gaming,” he said.
Video gaming has been successful as a reliable revenue source in the majority of states where it has been legalized, including New York, Montana and Louisiana, Fiedler noted. It has been repealed in Iowa and South Carolina because of failings in their statutes on age controls. The experiences of all were thoroughly researched by policymakers to ensure best practices were applied to Illinois’ legislation, he added.
“The reality is that video gaming will not be coming to a bar near you for probably another year,” said Fiedler. “During that time, the Illinois Gaming Commission will be developing its plans to oversee video gaming operations and the licensees who install the machines. This group has earned high marks for its ability to regulate other legalized gaming industries in Illinois.
“Local officials have nothing to lose by waiting to see how these plans shape up and researching the pros and cons in the interim. Knee-jerk decisions are not in the best interests of all their constituents,” he said.
Headquartered in Morris, the ICMOA is a 120-member, non-profit organization formed by businesses involved in the coin-operated amusement machine industry in Illinois. For more information, visit www.icmoa.org.
Editors: Please visit http://www.hodgeschindler.com/icmoa.html to view the ICMOA’s “Video Gaming: Myths vs. Realities.”
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