Village shortens downtown waiting period for gaming licenses in TIF and approves Nash Vegas Saloon’s gaming license

The Village of Oswego amended its video‑gaming ordinance April 8 to shorten the waiting period for ancillary and nonprofit establishments located within the TIF district, and the board approved a Class C video‑gaming license for Nash Vegas Saloon at 61 Main Street.

Community Development staff told the board that, at its March meeting, staff was directed to draft a code amendment reducing the one‑year waiting period for ancillary and nonprofit establishments inside the TIF district to six months; the amendment leaves the one‑year waiting period in place for ancillary and nonprofit establishments located outside the TIF. The board approved the code amendment by roll call.

Following the code change, the board considered a gaming license application for Nash Vegas Saloon. Staff noted the applicant intended to place gaming machines in a cordoned‑off, over‑21 area; if the Illinois Gaming Board or state requires a different location (for example, moving machines into the bar area), the establishment must comply. Trustees debated whether the proposed side‑room location, which currently includes family seating and pinball machines, would be an appropriate 21+ area; staff said the area must be cordoned off and restricted to patrons 21 and older to meet licensing requirements.

The license ordinance passed on a roll call vote (4 yes, 3 no). If the Illinois Gaming Board requires a different configuration after its review, the licensee must alter the layout to comply with state gaming rules before the village will issue the local license. The board’s changes and license approvals were limited to the downtown/TIF geography and did not change video‑gaming policy elsewhere in the village.