Danville assesses gaming impact
Danville aldermen are discussing the potential gaming expansion’s impact in the town after state legislation passed a few weeks ago.
US.- The recently approved Illinois gambling expansion has the state discussing its impact on local communities. That’s why Danville eyes gaming and its potential arrival in town.
This week the city’s aldermen continued to discuss how to prevent video-gambling shops from arriving in Danville. As new Illinois legislation clears them to spread statewide, they seek to change local ordinances to keep them out.
Danville’s approach to gaming is aimed at protecting existing businesses. For that matter, they may limit liquor licences to businesses and organisations that generate more than half of their revenue from sources other than video gambling.
Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. said he didn’t realise how many businesses would suffer until they contacted him. Some of them even attended this week’s meeting and discussed their concerns with aldermen.
Casino proposal
A casino in Danville is one of the soon-to-open venues in Illinois and has drawn major interest.
According to Mayor Rickey Williams, seven groups have voiced their interest in the project. Officials had sent out solicitations of interest to about 50 casino owners and developers.
All interested parties have until July 31 to submit applications detailing their proposals. A steering committee formed by Williams, Alderman Mike Puhr and community leaders will consider it.
The committee will review the applications for a Danville casino and choose a few to interview. Then, it’ll make a recommendation to the city council for final approval.
The gambling expansion
The gaming industry continues to expand. After waiting for nearly a month, Illinois joined the sports betting market as Governor JB Pritzker signed the respective bill.
The piece of legislation cleared the General Assembly earlier in June. Senate Bill 690 passed the high chamber on a 46-10 vote and was awaiting the governor’s signature.
“Together we passed the largest, most robust capital plan in this state’s history,” Pritzker said. “We’re investing US$45 billion over six years to fix what’s broken and repair what needs fixing.”
The bill authorises six new casinos in downtown Chicago, Williamson County, Rockford, Waukegan, Danville and South Suburbs. Moreover, those facilities, as well as race tracks and sports venues with more than 17,000 seats will also be eligible to buy Illinois sports betting licences.
