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East Dundee board approves video‑gaming ordinance raising terminal fee to $500 and adding six‑month waiting period for new businesses
Summary
After removing the video‑gaming measure from the consent agenda for discussion, trustees approved an ordinance that raises the per‑terminal fee from $250 to $500 and imposes a six‑month waiting period before new establishments may operate gaming terminals; board asked staff to revisit fees in a year and consider sunsetting or phased increases.
The Village of East Dundee Board approved an ordinance on Oct. 7 that revises the village code governing video gaming, increasing a per‑terminal annual fee and imposing a waiting period for new establishments to obtain gaming authorization.
A trustee moved to remove the video‑gaming item from the consent agenda to allow discussion. The ordinance before the board would raise the per‑terminal fee from $250 annually to $500 and establish a six‑month waiting period before a new establishment that has obtained a liquor license may begin video gaming. The waiting period was described by staff as a way to discourage businesses that would rely primarily on gaming revenue from opening solely to host terminals.
Supporters of the $500 fee said it represents a meaningful step from current rates while avoiding a potentially harmful immediate sticker shock for small businesses. One trustee suggested a phased increase or a sunset clause, proposing a stepped schedule that would rise to higher fee levels in subsequent years; another trustee said $500 is adequate and recommended easing into larger increases. Staff and trustees discussed fee comparisons in nearby communities (examples included Palatine, Carpentersville and others) and how some municipalities split fees between establishments and terminal distributors.
Trustee Kathleen (moved the ordinance) read and moved adoption of the ordinance, which was seconded and passed by roll call. The roll call on the ordinance showed affirmative responses from trustees during the recorded vote (Trustee Coonsie, Trustee Saviano, Trustee Traeger, Trustee Sauter and Trustee Mahoney). Trustees also agreed to revisit and review the fee structure next year (in October) and discussed placing fee review on the budget calendar or as a standalone agenda item.
The ordinance amends multiple sections of village code related to gaming licensing and enforcement; the board did not record amendments to the substantive waiting‑period or fee provisions at the meeting. Staff said that if the ordinance is passed the moratorium on new gaming authorizations will be lifted at the time of the vote and that establishments already open for more than six months would be immediately eligible under the new rule. Trustees asked staff to prepare options and to consider a sunset or phased‑increase approach for future review.
The board proceeded to other business after the vote.
