Video Gambling Firm Based In Burr Ridge

BURR RIDGE, IL – Accel Entertainment runs video gambling machines at bars and restaurants across Illinois.

Although it is based in Burr Ridge, it has no machines in the village. That's because the village bans them.

At last week's Village Board meeting, Andrew Rubenstein, Accel's chief executive, made the case for video gambling. He spoke at the village's invitation.

Rubenstein said his company did not want gambling to disturb Burr Ridge's image as "a very special place," referring to the village's slogan.

"We located here because it was a safe environment," Rubenstein said.

He added his company has not pushed the village to legalize video gambling.

He also recommended a town like Burr Ridge prohibit exterior signage for video gambling.

"We don't want Burr Ridge to look like every other gaming community that has let the market put up signs and flags everywhere," Rubenstein said. "This is not what Burr Ridge should be."

He also said the village could limit gambling licenses to establishments that have been in town for a certain amount of time. Such a move, he said, would prevent people from coming in to do a "money grab."

He also suggested the village mandate that businesses remove money from slot machines every day, which would reduce the chance of break-ins.

Last year, Burr Ridge trustees Joe Snyder and Russell Smith asked for the board to revisit its ban on video gambling.

After a discussion at last week's meeting, a majority of trustees agreed the prohibition should stay in place.

A total of 360 Accel employees work out of the headquarters in Burr Ridge, Rubenstein said.