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Lake County could block video gaming expansion

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Illinois

* Daily Herald…

Lake County officials are moving ahead with plans to prohibit the expansion of video gambling in unincorporated areas.

The financial and administrative committee on Thursday recommended the full board ban new video gambling terminals at bars, restaurants and other gathering spots in the areas it oversees. […]

“I’m not anti-gambling, but … I think it’s appropriate to put a pause on new licenses at this moment in time,” said county board member Paul Frank, a Highland Park Democrat who leads the committee. […]

The Lake County Board initially banned the machines in unincorporated areas, but it reversed course in 2013. As of May 31, nearly 300 video gambling machines operated at 63 locations in unincorporated areas.

Last year, gamblers put nearly $181 million at risk in machines in unincorporated areas of the county, according to Illinois Gaming Board data. Those bets generated $43.2 million for Illinois and $14.6 million for the county.

Could be a lot of things going on there. Existing video gaming companies would always love to stop more competition from coming in. Sometimes an area can become saturated with gambling establishments. And Lake County is getting a new casino, which probably won’t want competition.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 28, 19 @ 9:44 am

Comments

=== Could be a lot of things going on there ===

Most likely what is going on is that the Democrats have taken over the Board for the first time in (at least modern) history and they are, for better or worse, anti-gambling.

Comment by Just Observing Friday, Jun 28, 19 @ 10:44 am
Michael Bond is what’s happening.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 28, 19 @ 11:42 am
Anon @11:42:

This is not a shot at Bond. He is a democrat and so is the new county board. This is Chairwoman Hart on a mission.

Comment by Nagidam Friday, Jun 28, 19 @ 12:56 pm

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