Opinion: Chicago dropping thousands and thousands by banning video gaming

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is deadset in opposition to permitting video gaming within the metropolis.

He says a consulting examine commissioned by the town figured video playing income would quantity to $10 million per 12 months and would possibly lower into tax revenues produced by the Bally’s on line casino.

This newspaper took a have a look at playing revenues in 5 southwest suburbs – Bedford Park, Bridgeview, Burbank, Cicero and Stickney – and, primarily based on their outcomes, extrapolated that Chicago may see as a lot as $68 million in tax income from gaming machines. It was unscientific however the math appeared so as to add up.

“We can’t leave millions of dollars on the table. And so, whatever comes from City Council — if it doesn’t maximize the full benefit of what this opportunity could bring to the revenue structure of our city, then I’m not going to be supportive of it,” Johnson advised reporters at certainly one of his weekly City Hall information conferences.

Ald. Anthony Beale (ninth), one of many mayor’s most outspoken critics, pushed an ordinance permitting gaming machines by the License Committee by a 8-6 vote. The measure would nonetheless want approval by the complete metropolis council.

Southwest Side Ald. Silvana Tabares (twenty third) sees the profit. “While not without its faults, video gaming is an option that should be implemented before raising taxes on working families,” she posted Friday on her Facebook web page “Businesses in wards like ours should also be able to compete with suburban establishments that offer gaming.”

Beale’s ordinance would enable video gaming terminals in about 3,500 institutions the place liquor might be bought however isn’t the first enterprise. That means eating places, accommodations, arcades and bowling alleys however no bars. Each could be allowed the state most of six machines.

I’ve dropped a double sawbuck or two in gaming machines within the suburbs, often at a restaurant. If I break even, I’m joyful. Hell, I’m not unhappy even when I lose. It’s not some huge cash within the grand scope of issues.

The debate acquired me considering. What if the video gaming machines have been confined to O’Hare Airport, Midway Airport and Navy Pier?

Navy Pier is generally for vacationers. There are loads of eating places on the Pier that would host the machines and would gladly pad their very own earnings in addition to throw tax cash to the state and metropolis. It would let these people from Iowa testing Harry Carey’s Tavern or the Billy Goat assist the town’s backside line.

As profitable as Navy Pier is perhaps, the airports needs to be much more worthwhile.

There are 74 eating places at O’Hare Airport. In the primary seven months of this 12 months, 48 million individuals have been by the airport.

Midway averages greater than 1 million passengers per thirty days and has greater than a dozen eating places.

Federal pointers require passengers to be on the airport hours earlier than their flight for safety screenings. Once there, what’s to do? Not a lot. 

Imagine you’re on the airport ready in your flight that received’t take off for 2 hours. You’re mainly trapped. Now, think about there are six video gaming machines sitting within the restaurant subsequent to your ready space. You may win sufficient to pay for the tickets you’re about to make use of.

If solely 10 million vacationers make the most of the gaming alternatives, and the town beneficial properties $10 in tax income from every customer, the town ought to reap greater than $100 million. And don’t neglect concerning the licensing charges for the machines.

For a metropolis that’s at all times in search of extra income, it appears shortsighted to disregard the doable thousands and thousands of {dollars} video playing would possibly usher in – principally from out-of-towners.

And why cease there? Let different companies share the wealth in addition to contribute to the town’s coffers. More than one suburban enterprise proprietor has advised me the cash the machines present is the distinction between closing and staying in enterprise. That’s in all probability true for metropolis enterprise house owners, too.

Bob Bong is editor of Southwest Regional Publishing

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