Politics & Government
Should Palatine Reconsider Video Gambling in the Village?
POLL: Voters rejected lifting the ban in 2015. But a group of bar and restaurant owners want to revisit the issue. Is that a good idea?
PALATINE, IL — More than a year ago, residents rejected a nonbinding, advisory referendum to consider allowing video gambling in the village. But that was April of 2015. As 2017 approaches, some Palatine bar owners believe enough time has passed, and they want village officials to revisit lifting the pasttime's 2012 ban for certain businesses, the Daily Herald reports.
Owners from restaurants and bars, such as JL's Pizza & Sports Bar, The Donkey Inn and American Legion Post 690, brought up the topic during Monday's Village Board meeting, the report stated. The argument they put on the table: Palantine is losing extra revenue by not letting video gambling machines into their establishments.
The 2015 referendum asked the following: “Should the village of Palatine amend their code of ordinances to permit video gaming (as defined by the Illinois Video Gaming Act) at restaurants and bars that hold a liquor license?”
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While 60 percent of voters defeated the video gaming referendum, bar and restaurant owners say only about 11 percent of residents actually cast a ballot on the issue, the Herald reports.
RELATED: Palatine Agrees to Put Video Gambling Referendum Question on April Ballot
Find out what's happening in Palatinefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
That contention didn't sway Trustee Tim Millar, who said he was opposed to returning to the issue of allowing video gambling in the village, the report stated. Millar was supported by two other council members, the report added.
But three trustees, including Trustee Greg Solberg, said they would consider reopening the discussion, the report stated.
The soonest the village would address the video gambling issue would be this spring, said Mayor Jim Schwantz, according to the Herald.
YOUR TURN: Should Palatine officials lift the village's ban on video gambling machines at certain businesses? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section. Plus, take Patch's poll on the topic.
photo via Patch archive
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