McHenry County May Honorably Leave Video Gambling To Voters

All across the state of Illinois County and town officials have been making decision for the people they represent regarding video gambling bans. Now, the McHenry County Board may do something commendable. They may let voters decide whether or not they want the machines in the county.

State lawmakers legalized video gambling in bars and other establishments that would be eligible to offer this type of gambling. The state, however, gave individual cities, towns, and counties the right to ban video gambling. There has been a grace period given for these municipalities to create the ban.

In most cases, the town commissioners have decided the fate of video gambling. If there are only five members on a Board, then only three would have to be against gambling expansion to keep the machines out.

In McHenry County, however, the Liquor and License Committee forwarded the options of banning the machines or allowing voters to decide the issue to the full board. Their next meeting is November 3rd, and at that time there will be a discussion of those two options.

One of the options that is receiving much support would be to ban the machines temporarily, but to create a referendum where voters could ultimately decide the issue. If the voters went against the ban, it would then be lifted.

"Even if we pass a ban, it would still be a good litmus test," said Liquor Committee Chairman John Hammerhand, "It would show the will of the people."

The voters of McHenry County can feel privileged that they actually have a Board that would consider such an effort, instead of taking the matter into their own hands. many counties have already banned video gambling, but in McHenry County, the voice of their residents may end up being the most important determinant.

October 28, 2009
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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