Alderman Bowman proposes gaming licensing overhaul; council asks for business feedback and legal review
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Summary
Alderman Bowman introduced a draft video-gaming ordinance with five reforms — tiered fees, council authority, moratorium, contribution limits, and a community investment fund — and the council asked staff to gather business and resident input and seek legal review before returning in ~30 days.
Berwyn — Alderman Josh Bowman on Nov. 12 introduced a package of changes to the city’s video-gaming licensing framework aimed at reducing local saturation and directing license revenue to community programs.
Bowman said the draft ordinance is built on five pillars: a tiered licensing fee tied to net terminal income, requiring City Council review of future gaming-license decisions, a temporary two-year moratorium while an oversight committee studies saturation and best practices, limits on political contributions from gaming entities, and creation of a community investment fund to support public health, after-school programs, community beautification, residential fire safety and tenant assistance.
"These reforms are about restoring transparency, balance, and trust, not eliminating gaming but managing it responsibly for everyone's benefit," Bowman said.
Council members raised practical and legal questions: several asked whether Bowman consulted the mayor’s office, legal and finance; others said businesses have legitimate concerns about a tiered fee tied to terminal income and about whether contribution limits would survive constitutional review. One alderman called for a more surgical approach to the changes rather than a single omnibus ordinance. Business owners and the BDC at an earlier committee meeting flagged fees as a primary concern.
Bowman acknowledged the fee structure could be adjusted and said the draft is intended to start conversations. He also said committee input and resident feedback informed the proposal: "This is a year's worth of research and hundreds of residents," one council member summarized when noting public input.
The council directed Bowman to gather additional feedback from businesses and residents, request legal review on questions of authority and constitutionality, and return to Committee of the Whole in roughly 30 days for further deliberation. Council members discussed options for public outreach including surveys, listening sessions and direct meetings with business owners, while noting Open Meetings Act constraints for some formats.
What’s next: Bowman will consult with businesses and legal staff and bring revised language back to the Committee of the Whole in about 30 days. If the council approves an ordinance, it would be drafted and returned for formal introduction and vote per the city’s legislative schedule.