Video Gambling Ban Stays Put: DuPage County Officials

WHEATON, IL — DuPage County officials decided Tuesday that the county will not take a vote on lifting the ban on video machine gambling in parts of unincorporated Cook County. The ban —which has been in effect since 2009— was initially being reconsidered for its potential economic benefit. It will now stay in place.

At the Tuesday morning meeting, business owners brought up the fact that they are losing customers to nearby establishments in other counties that do permit video gambling. The extra revenue businesses would receive from video gambling would also give increased revenue to DuPage county, as businesses are required to share 5% of those profits with their county.

Consistent opposition came from residents and officials who had concerns about the welfare of DuPage County residents. They feared that it could perpetuate gambling addiction to permit video gambling machines in an establishment that serves alcohol.

After a discussion that lasted nearly two hours, DuPage County's finance committee decided that the potential profits of video game gambling —at least for the time being— are not worth the risks.

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