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Maryville repeals ordinance, will now allow video gaming

Video gaming is now permitted in Maryville establishments that already hold Class A, B and D liquor licenses, that is, licensed bars, restaurants and fraternal and social organizations.

The Village Board repealed a 2012 ordinance prohibiting video gaming in the village during a special meeting June 30.

Trustee Todd Bell was the lone no vote.

“This would be the final phase before video gaming would be coming into a business,” said Mayor Craig Short. “They have to go through the licensing process with the Illinois Gaming Board prior to it. So, all of the background checks and everything are already done. They have to show us that they have been licensed through the Illinois Gaming Board.

“So that kind of keeps us out of the liability issue,” he said.

Video gaming — gambling by means of interactive games of chance played on a video screen — is also permitted in social clubs and fraternal organizations if any come into the village.

Short said the action was to help the existing businesses, especially because of the issues that they had during the pandemic.

“This will allow them to be on a level playing field with some of the other communities’ businesses – the similar-type businesses, the bars and restaurants,” he said.

The village currently has two Class A license holders, Short said.

 “The liquor license ordinance only limits to two Class A license holders,” he explained. “So, if any other business comes in, they have to come to the board because we will have to amend our ordinance to allow them to come in. So, the board does have control over that.” These include other Class A types of business such as a bar or winery where people can have drinks that are not classified as restaurants, he said.

“Once they get licensed from the Illinois Gaming Board they are eligible to come in and get a license from the village,’ Short said. “We will charge them $25 per gaming terminal. It’s just an application process. That way we can verify who has video gaming and how many terminals they have.” He said that if anyone applies for a liquor license, they will not be eligible for gaming for at least 12 months. Businesses must be in operation for at least 12 months at the time they apply for a license.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Village Hall. It will be preceded by public hearings on rezoning the property at 124 Parkview from single-family residence to agricultural at 6:15 p.m. and a water service and pre-annexation agreement for the property at 6029 Illinois Route 162 in Glen Carbon.

From Charlie Feldman of the Times Tribune.

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