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Last updated 11:43 am CT September 02, 2010.
No Video Poker Payouts in Carbondale
It will also mean revenue for local governments and businesses that allow the gaming
"I think that some of the locals that are having to go all the way to Metropolis would maybe gamble here instead of going there," said Joey Koenig. He manages King Tut’s near Lake of Egypt in Williamson County. Read More Below
That won't be the case in Carbondale. The City Council took up the issue Monday night.
While they may not exactly agree with expanding gambling, three out of seven Carbondale City Council members saw no reason to ban it.
"While I think gambling is really stupid. Gambling bans are only slightly more stupid,” said Councilman Chris Wissmann.
"The state has allowed it in other parts of the state and I think us making a decision not to allow it here in town may be putting some of our businesses at a disadvantage,” said Councilman Lance Jack.
Councilman Steven Haynes joined Wissmann and Jack in not voting to ban the payouts. Haynes suggested the matter warranted further consideration.
Mayor Brad Cole and Councilmen Joel Fritzler, Corene McDaniel and Mary Pohlmann voted for the ban.
"I consent that there is a likelihood that some would benefit, but I’m not sure that the community would benefit overall from allowing video gaming at this point,” Cole said.
The mayor also noted that expanding gambling in Carbondale would adversely affect “folks who can’t afford it.”
City and county leaders have plenty of time to decide if they'll allow the payouts. Many are taking their time.
"No decision has been made yet,” Mt. Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley told News Three.
Officials in Mt. Vernon expect the machines to bring in about $100,000 in revenue for the city each year.
"There are so many areas of the city that need improvement: infrastructure, roads, water, sewer. So we could certainly use the revenue off that,” Chesley said.
Some say that city officials who are happy to accept money from the state in the form of capital plan construction projects should also be willing to help raise revenue.
"If we decide that gambling is not appropriate in Carbondale....I wonder if it’s appropriate for us to accept money from gambling that’s generated by the rest of the state,” Wissmann said.
The mayors of Benton, Herrin and Marion tell News Three they’re undecided on the issue.
City Councils in Benton and Marion will take up the issue Monday, August 24.
They have plenty of time to make a decision. A spokesman for the Illinois Gaming Board says it'll be months before a system is in place.
By Dana Jay
djay@wsiltv.com
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