Will County board members narrowly rejected a plan Thursday to roll back a ban on video gambling in unincorporated areas of the county.
By a 13-10 vote, board members opposed the effort to repeal the 2015 ban. Board members Denise Winfrey and Herb Brooks, both Joliet Democrats, abstained in the vote.
In 2009, state lawmakers passed legislation allowing for video gambling. But concerned about the fast growth of video gambling and the proliferation of so-called “café casinos,” Will County board members in 2015 voted to prohibit video gambling in unincorporated areas but allowed businesses in those areas that already had video gambling to continue using the devices.
In recent months, members of the board’s legislative and policy committee began efforts to repeal the ban. Earlier this month, the committee forwarded a recommendation to the full board to allow video gambling.
Proponents of lifting the ban suggested allowing video gambling would help create more equitable opportunities for businesses located in unincorporated areas.
They also noted the move would benefit not-for-profit groups and provide revenue for the county. At a committee meeting earlier this month, members of the Fort Erie Elks Lodge #167, located in unincorporated Lockport, said lifting the ban would provide an alternative revenue source for the organization. Monies from gaming machines would provide much-needed revenue to support various community programs like the group’s annual Easter egg hunt and a back-to-school fair.
“Financially, we’re disappointed in the vote,” said Early J. Deloach, state director of public relations for the Elks. “We’re just going to have to adjust some of our programming.”
Proponents of keeping the ban, argued gambling was a “predatory activity” and hurts low-income to moderate-income residents and risks people gambling away the “milk money” for their families.
“We’ve done the right thing by opting out,” Will County board member JIm Moustis, R-Frankfort, said.