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Council approves raising video gaming license cap from 60 to 75, clearing wait list
Summary
The council amended city code to expand the cap on video-gaming licenses from 60 to 75, a move staff said would clear a waiting list and provide additional licenses; council members warned of socioeconomic impacts and called for stronger audit enforcement.
The Bloomington City Council voted to amend section 7-307 of the city code to increase the number of permitted video-gaming licenses from 60 to 75, a change city staff said will clear the current waiting list and create a small cushion for future issuances.
Deputy City Manager/Presenter (gaming presentation) and city staff reviewed the local code and licensing history, noting the cap put in place in 2019 and a modest rise in terminals since 2012. The proposal would "clear the wait list of about 12, assuming that they all, you know, continue to qualify," staff said, and raise the total available licenses to 75.
Council member Hendricks moved the ordinance; Council member Strazza seconded. Supporters said the expansion would make licensing fairer and address long waits for businesses that can meet requirements.
Opponents and some council members raised equity and enforcement concerns. Council member Montney cited research showing video gaming disproportionately affects lower-income people and emphasized a need for proactive audits of floor plans and compliance beyond the annual self-report process. Montney said the city's prior audits had led to license surrenders and argued for stronger, regular compliance checks. The city's clerk and staff confirmed annual audits are conducted and that the city verifies revenue reports and matches state data, but inspectors do not always physically review floor-plan changes unless flagged; staff said they could implement more thorough location inspections if council directed it.
The ordinance passed; the clerk announced two nays (Council members Montney and Ward). Staff said they would continue compliance work, including sign regulation enforcement and audits of license holders.
Votes at a glance: - Ordinance amending Section 7-307 to increase video-gaming licenses from 60 to 75 — Passed; recorded nays: Council member Montney, Council member Ward. (Motion by Council member Hendricks; seconded by Council member Strazza.)
