Illinois’ Video Gambling Expansion Stirs Concerns

In just two years, Illinois’ video gambling has spread exponentially – now in places such as laundromats, florists and an apartment complex. Being dubbed “mini-casinos,” multi-million dollar casino complexes are experiencing a slide in their profitability.

If an Illinois venue has a liquor license, the owner can apply for three to five video gambling machines at that location. Currently, there are 18,669 terminals scattered across 4,570 businesses, according to the Illinois Gaming Board, with several hundred being added every month.