Wednesday, April 3, 2013
New ordinance sets out requirements for video gaming.
Algonquin Village President John Schmitt asked trustees to vote against a video gaming ordinance to keep Algonquin from becoming a gambling “mecca.” “I think this is a negative to the village of Algonquin, it’s just not what we have worked all these years to produce and to project,” Schmitt said. “I would hope we vote not to allow gaming in our community. You have to remember we have a whole lot of liquor licenses out there. We may end up being a gambling mecca.” “I think this is a huge mistake to take on for the village,” he said. Tuesday night’s vote was the same as last week’s informal vote with Trustees Jerry Glogowski, Jim Steigert, Robert Smith, John Spella and Debby Sosine voting yes while Trustee Brian Dianis and Schmitt voted no. …
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Explore what video gaming is like at Moretti's.
The video gaming machines are tucked away in Moretti's Ristorante & Pizzeria, away from the restaurant. The machines look like poker terminals or video games until you get a little closer to see it’s just like a Vegas slot machine. Moretti’s is one of the first area businesses to receive the video gaming terminals. Lake in the Hills approved video gaming last year. “It’s good,” Manager Keith Puralewski said of the video gaming. “They’ve been getting lots of play,” he said. Now, Algonquin will be getting into the act. Trustees are expected to formally vote on an ordinance April 2 to allow video gaming in the village. What is video gaming like? It’s just like being in Vegas, baby. While video gaming will be some people may try just for …
The village board’s decision to move ahead with allowing video gaming is a relief for restaurant and bar owners.
Randy Errington doesn’t own a restaurant or bar in Algonquin, but he feels strongly that the village should allow video gaming. He owns the property where Main Street Billiards is located. Errington has been trying to convince his tenant to stay on at the location and sign a five-year lease. The problem is the tenant doesn’t have the ability to compete against restaurants and bar in neighboring villages without video gaming, Errington said Tuesday as his voiced his support for the idea before the village board. Video gaming is generating about $8,800 for restaurants and bars in Illinois, where terminals have been placed, he said, citing state statics. “We are not talking about something shady, we are not talking about something that is …
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
The village board is expected to vote on an ordinance in the coming weeks.
The village of Algonquin is one step closer to allowing video gaming machines at restaurants and bars. The village of Algonquin Board of Trustees voted Tuesday night 5-2 to proceed with an ordinance allowing video gaming in Algonquin. Village staff will now work on drafting the ordinance, which would then return to the village board for a vote. Village President John Schmitt and Trustee Brian Dianis voted against developing an ordinance to allow the gaming, which has been legal in Illinois for about a year. Trustee Jim Steigert said he voted in favor of proceeding with an ordinance to allow gambling after reconsidering the benefits of video gaming for restaurants and bars. “I’m pleased that the village is putting this forward. It’s …
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Board of trustees direct staff to create a draft ordinance to discuss next month.
Algonquin trustees didn’t jump on the video gaming bandwagon last fall when the Illinois Gaming Board allowed video gaming in bars and restaurants, instead opting for a six-month waiting period — much to the dismay of business owners like Ken Fishleigh. “We are missing the boat,” said Fishleigh, owner of Nero’s Pizza and Pub Monday when the issue resurfaced at a village board meeting. “All of our businesses have suffered the last few years just trying to hold on. We hope the village gives us a chance to give us a boost.” Now, the board is ready to consider an ordinance allowing video gaming. Trustees agreed to have staff draft an ordinance that will be discussed next month. A point that needs to be determined is whether to include a sunset…
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Meanwhile, the village of Algonquin has adopted a wait-and-see approach and will decide in six months whether to OK video gambling for its businesses.
Moretti's in Lake in the Hills powered up five video gambling machines last week, which were among the first in operation in the area, according to the Elgin Courier News. The five machines turned on Tuesday at Moretti's, 220 N. Randall Road, allow bets between 1 cent and $2 and can reward up to $500, according to the article. Meanwhile, the village of Algonquin will wait six months to see how the gaming machines work out in neighboring communities before deciding whether to OK it in Algonquin, village board president John Schmitt said during a Tuesday meeting. "Bringing gambling into a community is not an everyday thing for us," Schmitt said. "We are going to wait and see." The Illinois Gaming Board recently adopted administrative …
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Village staff will now draft an ordinance to allow video gaming in Algonquin. The amendments would still need to be approved by the village board.
Village staff received the go ahead during a Committee of a Whole meeting Tuesday to draft an ordinance allowing video gaming machines in Algonquin. The COW voted 5-2 in favor of allowing the gaming machines. The ordinance changes would still need village board approval. The Illinois Gaming Board recently adopted administrative rules for the operation and regulation of terminals, allowing cities and villages to move ahead with video gaming. Under the state statute, video gaming terminals are allowed in any licensed retail establishment where liquor is served for consumption on the premises, a fraternal establishment, veteran's establishment or a truck stop. Under Algonquin's current ordinance, video gaming is permitted. Trustees …
Anthony P.
1:16 pm on Wednesday, April 3, 2013
"Gambling Mecca" really? C'mon how out of tune with reality are you mayor? That's a little far fetched considering you can practicably gamble anywhere now. more ›