Chicago Heights Allows Video Gambling Under State Statute

The amended the City's gambling regulations to include a relatively new form of gambling.

At the Monday meeting, the council voted on adopting a new state statute that allows licensed businesses to legally operate video gambling machines. City Corporation Counsel T.J. Somer described the statute as a way to officially allow what is already a common practice. 

"The practical reality is most of these establishments have poker machines anyway," Somer said. "The reality for us is as a city we will finally get revenue from having that license properly through the State."

The State's new Video Gaming Act lets towns decide whether they want to allow video gambling. 

"You can essentially opt out or opt in," Somer said. "You can allow it in your town or not. With the adoption of this state gambling statute tonight, you would allow eligible establishments to conduct video poker or video gambling."

No licensed institution can have more than five video gambling machines, but in order to be considered a licensed institution the business must have a liquor license, according to Somer.

Discussing the statute also afforded the council an opportunity to update many of the gambling regulations in Chicago Heights that would seem archaic to some.

"Looks like there are a lot of things that were not on here," Ald. Josh Deabel said. "Lottery, bingo, I mean I couldn't believe it."

The present council members voted unanimously in favor of adopting the statute. Aldermen Sylvia Torres and Sonia Perez were not at the meeting.

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