Story posted Friday, January 29, 2010
Machines Worth The Gamble?
Prospect Hts. Officials Differ On Views Toward Video Gaming
By BOBBY CHILVER Journal & Topics Reporter
Prospect Hts. aldermen will soon be contacting local hotels and bars to gauge their interest in hosting video gaming machines in their facilities.
Last year the state gave video gaming to go ahead but some communities have been slow to take a stance on the issue as they await more information. Individual communities were given the option to ban the gaming machines outright.
Prospect Hts. officials discussed the issue briefly last fall and brought up the matter again during Monday's Committee of the Whole meeting.
There were mixed feelings on the machines as aldermen weighed the financial aspects of the situation. As the city is always searching for new revenue streams, some saw the gaming machines as an opportunity.
"Originally I was not in favor of video poker but this might be an opportunity for Prospect Hts. if we study it appropriately," Ald. Richard Hamen said.
Ald. Gerald Anderson pointed out that some of the nearby communities that are banning the machines may bring more people to Prospect Hts. hotels and bars.
"There could be some serious money coming out of this if you're the only one in the area doing this," he said.
City Clerk Bill Kearns said the machines likely wouldn't draw big crowds because of the casino opening up in Des Plaines soon, but it could keep nearby residents eating and drinking locally.
Others however wondered just how much the city would gain from the machines.
According to state estimates, each machine would generate about $2,200 for the city. Only places with liquor licenses may host the machines and each establishment is limited to five machines.
Mayor Dolly Vole pointed out that the city would be eligible for 80 machines at the maximum, generating around $180,000. But she also pointed out only one business has come forward to express interest in the machines and she wondered just how many more would even want to install them.
Add in the cost of police enforcement of the machines and some alderman believe the benefit is negligible.
"We can't afford to monitor it. No," Ald. John Styler said.
Ald. Amy Dalessandro and Bree Higgins pointed to the already stretched thin city and police staff.
"Maybe a few years down the road when we're in a better financial state," Higgins said. "At this time we don't have the staff for it."
Dalessandro also noted that governments tend to overestimate gains and underestimate costs, saying in Prospect Hts. the cost of enforcement might just cancel out the gaming profits.
In the end aldermen agreed it would be a good idea to gauge business interest and see just how many machines would likely be installed if allowed.
City Administrator Pam Arrigoni said she would be contacting eligible facilities either by letter or e-mail in the coming weeks.
Once the amount of interest is known, the issue will likely be brought up again and aldermen will decide to either ban or allow video gaming in Prospect Hts.
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