Opposition to an ordinance that would allow video game terminals within Village limits breathed a sigh of relief as Trustees voted down a motion to include the ordinance regular board agenda next week.
Trustee Bill Oliger made a motion to include the ordinance in next week’s regular agenda, and Trustee Andy Harpst gave a nod for the second. While Harpst and Oliger voted in favor of advancing the ordinance, Trustees Vicki Cook, Don Lynn and Bruce Colravy voted no.
Former Trustee Sean Widener relinquished his vote when he took an oath to be acting Mayor when elected Mayor Patrick Brown stepped into the Village Administrator role. Although the vote from Trustees was 3-2 in favor of not moving the ordinance forward, Village Legal Counsel Jim Evans called for Widener’s vote, even though it would not count.
With Widener’s vote, the total changed to 3 for and 3 in opposition, and because the total did not meet a majority, the ordinance will not be on next week’s agenda.
Widener said Wednesday that although the ordinance did not gain traction this time, it is possible for the ordinance to come to the Trustees again when a Trustee requests to discuss the issue.
Recreational video game terminals, which are gambling machines, became legal within licensed retail establishments where alcohol liquor is served, certain truck stop establishments, and licensed fraternal and veteran establishments in the State of Illinois in 2009.
Within Illinois law, each licensed establishment is allowed up to five gaming terminals. The machines give free games or credits that can be redeemed for cash. Patrons are limited to a $2 bet, and can receive a maximum $500 payout.
The Village of Mahomet passed an ordinance against the use of video game terminals within Village limits in 2009. Recreational video game terminals were located at the Hideaway Restaurant and Uncle Buck’s within the Village limits from 2007 to 2009. Located just outside Village limits, Lake of the Woods Bar and Liquors currently has video game terminals.
When Minnick and Taylor asked for the ban to be lifted in April of 2014, the discussion was met with opposition from community members and hesitation from board members. At the time, the board decided to wait to see how the gaming industry affected other communities such as St. Joe, Monticello, Tolono, Champaign and Urbana.
At Tuesday’s study session, Police Chief Mike Metzler said when he spoke to counterparts in other nearby towns, he did not receive reports of increased crime as a direct result of gambling.
The Village received a letter from Taylor and Minnick requesting that the ordinance be brought back up for discussion this spring. Within the letter, Minnick and Taylor cited that their patrons asked for video gaming machines within their establishments, and that they have seen regular customers frequent establishments outside of town to use the gaming terminals.
Minnick came to the board with over 200 signatures in support of gaming terminals. Previously, the two have talked about how the machines could help their businesses as food prices, taxes and the minimum wage increases. Taylor said as their costs increase, they have to pass that on to the customer. With video game machines within the establishments, the owners may be able to offset some of those costs.
Establishments hosting the terminals receive 35 percent of the profit while the Village would only receive five percent. The other 60 percent of the money will leave the Village to go to State taxes and manufacturer shares.
Opponents say this is one reason why video game machines should not be allowed within Village limits. They believe that dollar could be spent on ice cream or used towards a mower purchase, which would keep a higher percentage of the money within the Village.
Village officials have been searching for a way to grow the commercial tax base within the Village for some time. Although members of the Mahomet Economic Development Commission personally did not like the idea of bringing video game machines into the Village, they do believe it could be a catalyst for other establishments coming into the Village.
With this knowledge, opponents also asked the Village to seek alternative ways to diversify the tax base.
They also asked Trustees to consider what control they relinquish once they lift the ban. Once an ordinance is passed and establishments can request a license for gaming machines, the Village cannot go back to the ban. Also, the Village must abide by any changes the State makes in terms of laws, taxes or fees.
The presented ordinance asked Trustees to consider capping liquor licenses so Village officials could still control the number of machines and types of venues within Village limits. Some establishments have found a loophole in the Video Gaming Act, and now small, quaint cafe casinos are popping up all over the State.
Cafe casinos abide by the five machine per establishment limit, but they also serve minimal food and alcohol during their business hours.
Many opponents, though, are concerned about Mahomet’s youth being subjected to gambling tendencies while visiting JT Walker’s, Main Street Wingery or any other establishment that would include the machines.
Under State law, patrons must be over 21 to use the machines. And while the machines are regulated by the State of Illinois, opponents questioned who would watch over the machines to make sure children and teenagers do not play on them. Last year, they also voiced concern for children eating where these machines are present.
Residents came forward to talk about how they moved to Mahomet because of its family-friendly atmosphere, excellent schools and high moral values. One man told the Trustees that he chose Mahomet because it was unlike any other community in Champaign County, and he asked them why they would want to make Mahomet like anywhere else.
The incorporated Village of Mahomet is the only town within Champaign County that does not allow video gaming machines.
Following public comment, Trustees weighed through their individual thoughts.
Harpst noted that last month, the Trustees heard from the community for not supporting local businesses when the Village voted to purchase a mower from Awesome Machines in Savoy. He felt that this was another opportunity to support local business.
Oliger, whose father was on the Village Board for 25 years, said he did not want to legislate morality, and that he would vote in the way he was raised. He also said that while he heard many arguments on how churches other organizations help those in need, he did not hear anyone talk about personal responsibility.
