Oswego Trustees Approve Video Gambling for the Village

Nearly a year after the Village of Oswego board voted to uphold a law banning video gambling in the village, video gambling machines will now be permitted in select bars, taverns, restaurants and social businesses.

The approval comes from a 4-2 vote in favor of amending the village code regarding a 2009 state law that made it legal for municipalities to have video gambling but allowed individual municipalities to opt out.

In July 2012 the Village of Oswego voted 3-2 with one vote of present to not repeal the ban.

Village business owners of taverns and bars have been vocal in their support of allowing video gambling in the Village, with representatives from the Oswego Inn and the American Legion telling the Village that they need to be able to offer video gaming to their patrons to remain competitive with other area businesses.

The debate turned very spirited between the trustees, with many of the business owners in the audience muttering over comments made by Trustees Tony Giles and Scott Volpe, who voted against repealing the ban.

“There is no doubt this is a great source of revenue for the local bars and taverns,“ said Giles. “But it’s not limited. That’s one of the misconceptions. It could hurt other local businesses that can’t participate in this.”

Trustee Volpe said on average each machine would generate $45,000 a year in profit, of which about 5 percent would come back to the Village. “Profit means gamblers losing money and the machine retaining that money,” he said. “I’m not trying to jump into if gaming is good or bad, but the Village does not get a lot of money.” 

“We’re not looking at it is a revenue stream,” said trustee Gail Johnson, who voted to repeal the ban. “I see it as a way for people to choose to spend their money and help our local small businesses gain some revenue. We are one of the only communities that has not supported video gambling. It’s a choice. If they like gaming they will go gaming.”

“What is our return of investment?” asked Giles. “We are taking a person’s income—”

“We are not taking their income,” countered Johnson. “They are choosing.”

Giles and Volpe made a motion to have the video gambling put to referendum, but it was voted down 3-2 with Terry Michels voting present.

Giles wanted to gain more opinions on the matter, as he argued the item was added late to the agenda, but Johnson said there had been months to discuss this.

“Why would you need a referendum when less than 11 percent came out to vote?” she asked. “I support listening to people, but I have been doing this. You are elected as leaders to make decisions based on the information.”

“I’m not looking to take money out of your pocket,” Volpe told the assembled business owners. “But this is a game changer for Oswego.”

The board approved video gambling for the village for businesses holding liquor licenses of the classes A, C, D, E or G.

Trustees Johnson, Judy Sollinger, newly inducted Pam Parr and village president Brian LeClercq voted in favor, Volpe and Giles voted against and Michels voted present.