The Oswego Village Board on Tuesday night will consider requests for video gambling licenses at two gas stations in the village.
The board will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Oswego Village Hall.
Trustees in May approved an ordinance creating a new liquor license classification to allow video gambling and on-premise consumption of alcohol at gas stations and convenience stores.
The Illinois Gaming Board permits video gambling in establishments so long as the location holds an on-premise liquor license. The Village Board approved video gambling in Oswego in 2013.
The village received requests from Oswego BP at Douglas Road and Route 34 and at BP Oswego at Orchard Road and Route 34 for the licenses, according to village officials.
The village’s chief building inspector reviewed site plans for both locations and directed staff to proceed through the request process.
As part of the requirements, gambling areas are restricted to less than 50% of areas at the facilities accessible to the public and permanent barriers have to be installed to separate video gambling from the rest of the businesses.
The licenses permit the owners to apply for a video gambling license through the state and village. The licenses are exclusive to gas stations and not truck stops, according to the documents.
Video gambling terminals must be in an area that is restricted to people 21 years old or older, separated from other areas by a barrier at least three feet high and have a restricted entrance that is in view of at least one employee of the business.
Alcohol service at the sites will be limited to beer and wine. Drinks will be limited to one drink per hour per customer and no customer will be served more than two beers or glasses of wine in any one day, according to the village ordinance.
In addition, no signage will be permitted on the premises or surrounding property that indicates alcoholic beverage sales at the facilities.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.