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Paging Mayor Lightfoot
Tuesday, Feb 18, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller * There are those who say Chicago shouldn’t opt in to video gaming because the gambling would cut in to an eventual casino’s profits. But that’s already happening on the black market…
If you forced me to choose, I’d take video gaming over a new casino every day. Video gaming helps small restaurants and taverns. A big Chicago casino will help a few rich people make more money. But I don’t see why there isn’t room for both and these sweepstakes machines need to go away because they are demonstrably causing corruption (see former Rep. Luis Arroyo). The most equitable way to get rid of them is to opt in to already legalized video gaming and take away the liquor licenses from any venue with sweepstakes machines. /rant
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- WestTown TB - Tuesday, Feb 18, 20 @ 12:10 pm:
I’d rather another casino instead. I agree, it helps out small restaurants, taverns, etc., but I’d rather children not ever see the screens. Casinos do a better job of keeping kids away from the machines, by not allowing anyone under 21 in the space. At some restaurants/taverns (including “family” restaurants, the slots are in separate rooms with a door, and in others, they are just roped off and are visible to everyone.
As a society, we totally underestimate the addictive nature of screens, especially the impact to small children (including the 4 year olds sitting with iPads). As it is, when I am with kids I avoid the restaurants in the suburbs that have the slot machines, and as a resident of the city I’d much prefer they open 10 casinos scattered about rather than allow these in restaurants. Adults gonna adult but we should try to avoid exposing kids to this, no?
- OneMan - Tuesday, Feb 18, 20 @ 12:11 pm:
Fully agree, if you are going to allow this, you might as well allow video poker that is at least better regulated.
- NIU Grad - Tuesday, Feb 18, 20 @ 12:12 pm:
I appreciate the “undercover” look of the investigators.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Feb 18, 20 @ 12:43 pm:
The sweepstakes machines have to go. They’re a scourge that is advancing corruption while benefiting bar owners, the machine owners/salesfolk and quite probably whatever is left of the outfit, but not the city, county or state.
Not sure where I land on video gaming in the city though. It’s kind of nice not having that vibe like you see in every bar in Springfield. That said, these sweepstakes machines are proliferating - until about six months ago, they hadn’t cracked our neighborhood. Since then, I’ve seen them in several local watering holes.
- Veil of Ignorance - Tuesday, Feb 18, 20 @ 2:14 pm:
I’d rather we find a better revenue source than casinos or gaming period rather than going further down this road. This is consistently found to be a regressive tax and the recent data seems to indicate a trend towards online gambling more and more with the younger generation anyways. It’s simply not a good policy choice and I fear will create as many problems as it arguably helps solve.
- Boone's is Back - Tuesday, Feb 18, 20 @ 3:17 pm:
The small restaurant/ bar owner point is a good one and doesn’t get enough air time.
- Southwest Sider - Tuesday, Feb 18, 20 @ 3:54 pm:
And allow fireworks sales. It’s not like we’re not doing that here. Indiana gets all the money.