Plainfield Takes Another Look At Video Gaming

PLAINFIELD, IL — In the past, the Village of Plainfield has been unwilling to gamble on video gaming at local businesses — despite the opposition from some business owners — but the issue will be back on the table at Monday night's Committee of the Whole meeting. Village staff is seeking direction from trustees on two issues: A draft ordinance establishing a licensing system for raffles, and a similar draft that would amend the village's liquor ordinance to allow video gaming.

The board will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at Village Hall, 24401 W. Lockport St.

Back in 2012, the State of Illinois made it legal for businesses to install video gaming machines such as video poker, but Plainfield trustees at the time were unwilling to budge on an existing ordinance prohibiting gaming. Back then, trustees expressed concerns including a fear that allowing video gaming would target those who could least afford it, and that customer would spend money using gaming machines as opposed to buying food and drink from local establishments.

The village board revisited the issue in 2013, but again took no action to change the existing ordinance banning gaming. The Plainfield American Legion remains one of the few area establishments to allow video gaming terminals, since it's located in unincorporated Plainfield Township and not the village.

Patch file photo by Lorraine Swanson/Patch staff