Should Palos Heights Allow Video Gambling?

The Palos Heights City Council was scheduled to make one vote Tuesday night in regard to gambling within city limits.

From the meeting agenda:

“Motion to authorize the City Attorney to draft ordinances to allow video gaming in the City of Palos Heights subject to the City Attorney’s legal opinion on sunset provisions, fees and ATM’s, and to repeal and amend any ordinances which would be affected by this.”
 
City staff and officials said passing that motion would not authorize or forbid gambling in the city. The motion would be to see what a gambling law would look like on paper.

The vote was delayed in favor of a committee of the whole meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 11 at 6:30 p.m. to talk through the issue further. But even with the vote on hold, aldermen, business owners, residents and other interested parties offered their perspective during Tuesday’s council meeting on the issue.

Alderman Michael McGrogan, who chairs the license, permits and franchises committee, said Tuesday night that it was the fourth meeting where people have spoken out on the topic.

“The issue is not going away,” he said. “The longer we keep moving it on, the longer we procrastinate on whatever decision we have to make.”

Mike Pappas, a managing member of Fair Share Gaming, LLC, said video gambling generates good revenue. Pappas said he doesn’t gamble himself, but believes the morality question has already been addressed because Lottery tickets can be purchased in Palos Heights. He also argued that neighboring towns including Worth, Oak Forest and Justice already have legalized video machines, and not doing so in Palos Heights may lead to lost business.

“Palos Heights residents just need to walk to the river’s edge and go to the golf course,” Pappas said. “We’re not stopping the residents from being able to gamble. We’re not creating a gambling free town because there are so many other forms of gambling. What we are offering is an opportunity for businesses to compete with others.”

Former Palos Heights Mayor Dean Koldenhoven said that a vote to rescind the current city ordinance that prohibits gambling should only go through if there is a two-third majority vote of the aldermen in favor of doing so.

“When we have a freedom to enjoy, people it take it seriously,” Koldenhoven said, who is against gambling in the city. “If people don’t want gambling then so be it.”

Palos Heights resident Beth Pascall said there aren’t ways for problem gamblers to be screened from playing video gambling games and that the games can lead to more serious gambling problems.

“The games aren’t carded for youth like at regular casinos,” she said. “It is very addictive and something that leads to heavier gambling. I hope you keep the ban.”

Teresa Szybowicz, senior relationship manager from Accel Entertainment, said the city could earn about $148,000 in additional revenue a year from the machines if 17 establishments install four terminals each. She also said there is an extensive screening process for a business owner to get licensed for video gambling and that all games must be in view of a business’ staff.

“The investigative process is extensive and designed to uphold integrity of the industry,” Szybowicz said. “I’ve seen people denied for felonies, gambling convictions when they were 17 years old. Problem gamblers are taken seriously. Back taxes are taken into consideration.”

Mike D’Antonio, a co-owner from Trio, said that his business offers an array of food and drink specials, but people can still go to nearby towns for video gambling.  
 
“They don’t understand the severity of what we go through,” D’Antonio said. “Our community can go down the street and play down the street if they have problems. How about us who’ve invested our time? Anyone worry about us going out of business?”

Palos Heights resident Karen Hayes said she not only hopes the council votes against gambling, but also that the council reaffirms the ordinance forbidding gambling in the city.

“You as a board made a good public policy decision,” Hayes said. “We want the city to remain family friendly.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

There are plenty of ways to keep up on local news:

• Join Patch. Sign up for a user account and converse with your neighbors.
• Like Palos Patch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.