Aurora City Council approves increase in number of video gaming terminals
The number of gaming machines will increase despite Hollywood Casino’s objection.
US.- Aurora City Council, in Illinois, has voted 8-1 to approve an increase in the amount of video gaming terminals allowed in local establishments from five to six. The change will raise the total number of terminals within city limits by 40 to 240.
The increased cap is expected to bring in new revenue for the local businesses and for the city through taxes and licensing fees.
Daniel Barreiro, 1st Ward, said at the meeting: “A lot of times, when we help businesses, they are the big, large companies from out of town. Very rarely do we get an opportunity to help local small businesses.”
The proposal went before the Aurora City Council in October, but a final vote was delayed after Hollywood Casino-Aurora, which is building a $360m location, objected to the move. Deputy chief of staff Nicholas Richard-Thompson told a committee at that time that there are 38 businesses with gambling terminals, and nearly all have the maximum currently allowed.
