Lake Zurich Board Considers Video Gaming in Village

The village board, along with newly sworn in Village Administrator Jason Slowinski, heard a second appeal at the May 7 board meeting to consider allowing video gaming at select establishments in Lake Zurich.

Those locations, per new rules created by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB), would include businesses that hold valid liquor licenses where alcohol is poured and consumed, and at fraternal and veterans organizations such as the Lions Club and the. Video gaming machines are lottery-type terminals, such as poker games.

Truck stops also are eligible for video gaming devices, according to IGB code, though none exist in Lake Zurich.

The question was first proposed by Commander John Barrington of the American Legion Post #964, 51 Lions Drive, at the April 16 village board meeting.

Barrington came before the board to ask if they would consider allowing video gaming at the American Legion. 

A prohibition of the devices was instated in 2009 to allow the Illinois Gaming Board time to create rules and guidelines for their use. 

At that meeting, the board decided to review the current village ordinance in regards to video gaming and set discussion for a time in the near future.

Then at Monday's meeting, Stephanie Girard-owner of , 84 N. Old Rand Road-also inquired about bringing video gaming to her establishment.

The board was polled and decided the issue would be considered, along with the American Legion request, at the May 21 village board meeting.  

In response to the state prohibition, the village board in November 2009 passed an ordinance that mirrored the state's ruling on video gaming.

Chief Patrick Finlon said the IGB has recently made video gaming permissable again, and created Administrative Code Part 1800 that sets forth guidelines on how the devices will be regulated and monitored.

The new rules require that the devices be in a separate, devoted area, and that there be limited access to that area. Close supervision and management by a person 21 years of age or older who has the device constantly in sight also is mandated.

The Lake Zurich police department, along with the Illinois State Police, would be responsible for compliance inspections, Finlon said.

The license for an establishment would potentially be adjusted or changed to include video gaming as an additional offering.

Revenue derived from video gaming would be divided between four parties. 

The business or organization that houses it and the device provider each would get 35 percent, while the state of Illinois would take 25 percent, and the village would get the remaining 5 percent.

There are roughly 22 businesses and organizations, Finlon said, that could potentially apply for a video gaming license in Lake Zurich.

But Building and Zoning Director Dan Peterson said many would not have the ability to retrofit their locations to adhere to new IGB guidelines. Potential issues would relate to electrical wiring, and ingress/egress to the devoted video gaming area.

Finlon said state penalties would apply if a business or organization with a gaming device did not follow the IGB guidelines.

Trustees could also consider adding in additional penalties applied specifically by the village.