Chicago to become the next Vegas?

Well, probably not. But they’re making a move in the right direction! In a fun and economic move, Illinois has begun to offer “legalized video gambling”.

State regulators have started with activating five video gambling machines to test the system. This testing will prepare the program to be made available throughout the state.

The machines will go live in social institutions (bars, restaurants, lodges, etc.), placed in areas of the establishments only open to patrons 21 and over.

The state has decided to legalize the practice in exchange for a 25% cut of profits, and 175 locations have already been approved by the appropriate authorities.

Of course, towns who do not want the new machines can opt out of the program, but the new devices are predicted to bring more revenue to the state as well as to individual business owners.

Morris Gaming’s Lynne Morris commented “Video gaming is the most exciting thing to hit the hospitality industry in Illinois in over 20 years”.

Sounds like a good idea to me!

Read the original article here

Interested in the gambling industry? Check out our Gaming Executive Summit LatAm, going on this February in Panama City.