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Lawmaker Concerned About 'Video Gaming Malls'

Jenna Dooley
/
WNIJ

Video gaming has proliferated in Illinois.

A new state report says that as of June, there were nearly 21,000 video poker machines in Illinois.

Chicago doesn't allow video gaming; even so, there are more terminals in the Chicago metropolitan area than anywhere else in Illinois.

After Cook County, the most machines are in Winnebago, Lake, Will, and Sangamon Counties. The capital city of Springfield tops the list for most video gaming terminals in the state, with nearly 550.

Representative Bob Rita, a Democrat from Blue Island, says that's all well and good. But he has a problem with a new phenomenon ... a string of video cafes lined up next to one another.

Rita is concerned developers are planning these "video gaming malls" in the Chicago suburbs.

"At what point ... you know, when you're putting multiple locations under one (roof) you're essentially creating a casino."

Rita says that isn't the intent of Illinois's law. He has filed a resolution asking the state gaming board to deny licenses to applicants looking to set up "casino malls."

The video gaming board is scheduled to meet next week.

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