Evanston’s Human Services Committee is set to debate an ordinance that can potentially overturn the city’s longstanding ban on video gambling terminals throughout the city.
In May, members of the committee voted 3-2 in favor of 8th Ward Council Member Devon Reid’s proposed changes to Evanston’s gambling ordinance. The proposal tasked staff to investigate the opportunity and return their findings to the committee after three months. “[The driving force is] making sure that the city code aligns with the world as it is today and with our values as they are today,” Reid said when he made the proposal.
Armed with the committee’s staff findings of recent changes in state law 230 ILCS 40/27 (b), which would permit nationally chartered veterans groups and fraternal organizations to get licenses for operating video games in the state despite municipal bans, Reid is advocating to eliminate the ban, promoting the discussion of Ordinance 30-O-24 to amend the regulation.
The change can pave the way for local charters like the American Legion Post 42 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7186 to get licenses and override city prohibition. The license structure allows each group to operate up to six video gaming terminals. However, as the city controls the licensed establishments that host the terminals, it can potentially limit the number of terminals allowed at each venue.
The recent legal discovery comes despite Evanston’s long-standing opposition to video gaming. In 2009, the City Council briefly considered legalizing video gaming terminals but quickly revoked it in light of public opposition and community welfare concerns. In 2019, Ann Rainey, who was Reid’s predecessor in the 8th Ward, also tried to lift the video gaming ban without success.
According to the Illinois Gaming Board, licensed video gaming terminals have generated revenues of $2.9 billion, of which $144 million, or 5 percent, was distributed to municipalities across the state that hosted licensed establishments. No neighboring communities to Evanston, including Chicago, allow video gaming.
