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LaSalle County panel discusses video gaming machine fees, distributor licenses and inspection downtime
Summary
County licensing staff told commissioners that video gaming terminals carry a $25 per-machine license (up to six machines), amusement licenses are $125, and a distributor license costs $2,000; commissioners heard that state inspections and changing machine providers can cause weeks of downtime for businesses.
At its April 8 meeting, the LaSalle County Liquor Commission examined video gaming licensing, distributor fees and operational impacts when providers change machines.
Amanda, licensing staff, told commissioners that a video gaming terminal license is $25 per machine and establishments may have up to six machines. "$25 per machine, and they can have up to 6," Amanda said. She added that amusement licenses (for pool tables, jukeboxes, arcade machines and similar equipment) are $125 and that establishments with a large number of arcade machines may pay a higher fee.
Amanda also described a distributor license that applies to companies that supply machines: "There is a video gaming distribution lisonbee. It's $2,000 whether they have 1 place or 20 places." She said the distributor — not the establishment — must hold that license. Commissioners were told the county has several distributors on file and that staff expected outstanding checks from some providers.
The commission reviewed historical revenue records. Amanda said she provided a video-gaming revenue sheet and state reports going back to February 2019 for commissioners to review.
Members discussed operational impacts when establishments change machine providers. Amanda and other commissioners described disruptions when a new distributor installs machines: state reauthorization and setup can take weeks. "Usually, if a new company comes in and puts new machines in, they're shut down for 6 weeks before they... We even had with machine when we went on vacation... I guess they didn't pull the machines out. They pulled all the money out but the state had to be the 1 to come back in and turn everything back on," a commissioner recalled, summarizing experience shared in the meeting.
Commissioners asked staff to check that providers and establishments have current distributor fees and to notify commissioners if a machine's provider is unfamiliar. Amanda advised commissioners to call licensing staff if they see an unknown provider name on machines so the county can confirm distributor licensing and fee payment.
No formal motions were taken on gaming policy at the meeting; staff provided records and asked commissioners to assist with local checks ahead of renewals.
