SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- A provision in Illinois' new video gambling law could turn some Illinois truckstops into mini-casinos, reported The Pantagraph. The law, which legalized video poker at bars and veterans halls to help raise money for statewide construction projects, would allow the machines to be placed at trucking facilities under certain conditions, said the report.
The games could bring in a windfall of cash for cities such as Effingham, Mount Vernon and Troy, all of which have a high concentration of truckstops because they are at the crossroads of major [image-nocss] interstate highways.
But the new law is causing confusion. Some, such as Mount Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley, believe it only applies to truckstops that serve alcohol.
The new law states that it applies to all truckstops that are at least three acres, have a convenience store and offer a separate island for fueling diesel trucks. In cities with truckstops, having a grasp on exactly what the law allows could mean the difference between a windfall of cash from the machines or nothing. Although the bulk of the money from taxing video gambling will go to the state construction program, local communities also receive a cut of the profits, the report said.
In Effingham, Mayor John Lange said there has been no discussion specifically related to having legalized gambling at the truckstops in his community, located at the busy crossroads of interstates 57 and 70. But he acknowledged that he and his staff have talked about the financial benefit of having the machines in town, especially during an economic downturn.
Truckstop companies also are reviewing the new law, said the report.
Oklahoma City-based Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores has five locations in Illinois: Williamsville, Ina, Utica, Roscoe and LeRoy. In a company statement provided to the newspaper, Love's spokesperson Christina Dukeman said, "If there are new laws regarding video gambling in Illinois, Love's will determine interest level, if any, in offering that option at those locations and will conduct any research and applicable licensing requirements at that time."
The Dixie Travel Plaza in McLean, which serves truckers hauling up and down I-55, is among scores of truckstops that already offer the machines as entertainment for their customers, the report said. Dixie Manager Tina Kletz, however, said she is just now researching the law to see how it might affect her business.
"It could mean added revenue," Kletz told the paper.
Officials at the Illinois Municipal League, which lobbies state lawmakers on behalf of cities and towns, said the placement of gambling terminals in truckstops is not clear under the law. "It raises questions that will have to be addressed," Municipal League counsel Roger Huebner told the Pantagraph.
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