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* One of the most overlooked provisions in Illinois’ video gaming law is that possessing old, basically unregulated poker machines at your bar or truck stop is now a felony…
A Heyworth bar owner faces felony charges for allegedly having illegal video gaming machines in the business — the first such case to be filed in McLean County since the state approved video gambling last year.
David Rehker, 54, was taken into custody Friday after agents with the Illinois Gaming Board and the McLean County Sheriff’s Department seized seven machines from Circle II Bar and Grill at 503 W. Cleveland St. He was released after posting $325 on a charge of possession of an illegal gambling device.
According to a prosecutor’s statement, an agent with the state liquor control commission saw the machines during an inspection Thursday and reported the alleged offense involving machines with reset buttons, which are illegal because they allow local operators to run an independent payout system. Agents returned Friday to investigate.
The old machines, which were pretty much everywhere, allowed the mob to profit. So, this video gaming law is probably the biggest hit to mob profits in decades. That’s a good thing.
* Meanwhile…
Governor Pat Quinn has already rejected several plans that would make way for five more casinos in Illinois. […]
But [a new version of a gambling package] also paves the way for Illinois residents to legally bet online. The legislation says “the Internet has become an integral part of everyday life” and that many Illinois residents already use the web to gamble using unlicensed, illegal sites. This would allow the state to regulate and profit.
Quinn isn’t sold.
QUINN: “I think that’s problematic. It’s a brand new idea and there hasn’t been much review on that at all. Anytime you have something brand new it shouldn’t just be thrown into a bill at the last minute.”
Discuss.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:12 am
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Rich, I’m from Heyworth and I can GUARANTEE you that there ain’t no mob there. Knowing the place like I do I’m betting this guy was either thumbing his nose at the state or simply didn’t know he had to get rid of his old machines (and yes that’s actually a viable deduction if you know the place).
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:16 am
I agree with Demoralized. The bar owner has a reputation of being anti-government. The State’s smoking law is ignored at this bar. If the mob is operating in Heyworth, then I am very naive on this issue.
Comment by Endangered Moderate Species Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:41 am
For several years the Illinois Racing Board was able to regulate internet based horse racing wagering, known as Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW), but that authority expired on December 31st of last year. To my knowledge there were no issues with ADW other than the usual anti-gambling issues meaning that there were no allegations of fraud or mob influence or any other untoward allegations.
This was a revenue stream that performed as expected without generating any new problems and that money would be very useful in these tight budget times. The most heavily bet races each year are the three Triple Crown races (the Kentucky Derby, Preakness & Belmont) which run over 5 weeks beginning the first Saturday in May. The final prep races for the Kentucky Derby started last weekend and include the next two Saturdays.
Reauthorizing this legislation seems like it would make a lot of sense and it may be among the least controversial elements of an expanded gaming package, after all it’s just a reauthorization of a previously existing form of gaming, however this issue doesn’t seem to have a lot of momentum. Whether it ends up being part of a Christmas tree gaming bill or if it’s run stand alone bill time is of the essence. The vast majority of the money bet on horse racing happens in the spring and waiting won’t help anyone.
Comment by The Captain Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:47 am
I’m not saying they should… but perhaps a strong warning to immediately get rid of the machines would suffice rather than an arrest and tying up the legal system.
Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 10:54 am
===but perhaps a strong warning===
They’ve had plenty of warnings. They can’t get a state sticker for those old machines any longer, they’ve been told over and over to comply. Enough.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 11:17 am
Agree entirely with the Captian. Not reauthorizing Advanced Deposti Wagering on horse racing in this State is idiotic. While they raise our taxes 66%, they turn down this revenue for no reason at all while depriving Illinois residents on a convenient way to bet Kentucky Derby prep races.
Comment by downstate hack Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 11:45 am
Ditto the Captain and downstate hack. Plus, the Illinois Derby is on April 20th at Hawthorne. Even though no points will be awarded for Kentucky Derby consideration based on Churchill Downs’s new points system, the IL Derby could still be an important prep for the Preakness.
Not allowing IL residents to bet on the IL Derby online seems pretty ridiculous, especially since we were able to for the last several years.
Comment by Roamin' Numeral Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 12:41 pm
How does a tavern comply? By destroying the machine or throwing it into the trash? What if the vending machine owner does not reclaim it?
It seems as if simply unplugging the machine is not enough.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 2:51 pm
No matter what Rich says it’s completely asinine to arrest somebody for this. Fine them, take the machines and move on. This isn’t some big criminal enterprise in Heyworth, Illinois. Get a grip.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 4:47 pm
That was me above. Sorry.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 4:48 pm
Rich, Don’t forget this big seizure at Peoria Heights warehouse on over 1,100 video machines w/Reset buttons.
Link from Feb 18 2013 Chicago Tribune.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-02-18/news/ct-met-video-gambling-machine-seizures-20130218_1_video-poker-illegal-video-suburban-bars
All may find this paragraph interesting:
“The Tribune has learned that the Peoria Heights bust centered on a warehouse rented by a felon, who has a gambling conviction and is the son of a politician who once had a stake in a bar game business and has supported legal video gambling.”
Comment by JoeInPeoria Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 5:30 pm
Going to Heyworth was likely about sending a message as much as big-time enforcement. I agree with Rich. Enough is enough. These yahoos tarnish all the new, legit operators who have played by the rules and invested a ton of dough doing it the right way.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 6:54 pm
People are more likely to become addicted to gambling when they live near a legal gambling location. Legalizing online gambling puts the gambling location right in our homes, on our computers, our personal phones, our child’s bedroom, and college dorm rooms. This will be impossible to regulate.
Our young people are not likely to go to a casino, but they spend a lot of time on their computers and phones. They are more likely to gamble online if it is legal and state sponsored. With online gambling there will be no self-exclusion program for problem gamblers as there is at Illinois’ casinos.
But the Illinois General Assembly is addicted to gambling revenue. Governor Quinn may be our only hope, again!
Comment by Ruby Tuesday, Apr 2, 13 @ 8:59 pm
Ruby, you are so wrong. Online gambling in the form of Poker would be a huge revenue boost to Illinois( The AdW and Lottrey has proved it is at a smaller level and also proves that minors are not allowed unless fraud is committed by them) They should tie it into the Lottery site which is very much regulated and unless a minor is committing a crime by lying or falsifying the required documents needed to play it is impossible for them to play. As far as self exclusion these are already in place on the lottery site and even non regulated poker sites such as Full Tilt and ADW sites had these in place..Do some research before you make comments. Gambling is everywhere and not going away better to regulate it and gain revenue rather then letting other states reap the rewards of our wagering dollars.. For a Democratic Governor Quinn sure has turned his back on the people he represents!
Comment by The Green Wednesday, Apr 3, 13 @ 9:40 am
Crazy, these old machines were everywhere, but no enforcement for years. ILCC were walking right by them over and over and over.
Like mufflers on motorcycles, law enforcement can be quite choosy at times decided what laws to take seriously.
Now its a felony to compete with the state. I hope this owner has good local relationships with his states attorney and can negotiate this charge back to misdemeanor.
Comment by CarrollCounty Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 11:16 am
I meant “enforced felony”, not just a regular felony above.
Comment by CarrollCounty Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 11:20 am
CarrollCounty, make a crime a felony and prosecutions will tend to follow. It’s basic human nature.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 11:23 am