Illinois Gaming Board Met April 21.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Illinois Gaming Board (“Board”) convened for a Regular Meeting at approximately 9:00 A.M. In accordance with Section 12 of the April 2, 2021 Disaster Proclamation issued by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, in-person attendance of more than fifty people at the regular meeting location was not feasible; therefore the Board held the meeting through electronic means. The meeting was accessible on the morning of March 10, 2021 via livestream at: https://multimedia.illinois.gov/igb/igb-live.html.
A roll call was taken. The following Board members were present: Chairman Charles Schmadeke, Member Anthony Garcia, Member Dionne Hayden and Member Ruben Ramirez. Four members of the Board being present, a quorum was satisfied.
At approximately 9:01 A.M., Member Garcia moved that the Board go into closed session pursuant to Section 2(c), paragraphs (1), (4), (11), (21) and (36) of the Open Meetings Act and Section 6(d) of the Illinois Gambling Act to discuss items on the closed session agenda relating to the review of closed session minutes of the Special Board Meeting held on Thursday, February 4, 2021 and the meeting held on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, personnel matters, evidence received per the Board’s adjudicatory authority, discussion of confidential information, and pending litigation. Member Hayden seconded the motion. The Board approved the motion unanimously by voice vote. Thereafter, the Board held its closed session meeting through electronic means, the minutes of which are separately recorded. The Board’s closed session meeting was not accessible via livestream at https://multimedia.illinois.gov/igb/igb live.html.
At approximately 10:14 A.M., the Board reconvened its Regular Meeting of Wednesday, April 21, 2021 pursuant to the Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/1 et seq. The meeting was held through electronic means and was accessible via livestream at: https://multimedia.illinois.gov/igb/igb-live.html.
Another roll call was taken. The following Board members were present: Chairman Charles Schmadeke, Member Anthony Garcia, Member Dionne Hayden and Member Ruben Ramirez. Four members of the Board being present, a quorum was satisfied.
APPROVAL OF OPEN SESSION MINUTES
The Board unanimously approved the open session minutes from its Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, March 10, 2021.
CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS
The Chairman noted that the Board’s foremost purpose is to protect the integrity of gaming in Illinois. He also noted that diversity, equity and inclusion in every level of the gaming industry is an important goal of the Illinois Gaming Board.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Administrator Fruchter began his report by commending the Chairman on his comments regarding diversity, equity and inclusion. He also noted that the health and safety of all involved in the Illinois gaming industry remains a top priority for the Illinois Gaming Board and urged everyone to continue maintaining applicable COVID mitigation protocols.
The Administrator provided an update on sports wagering revenues for February 2021 and reminded the audience that the data is made available on the IGB’s website. He noted that sports wagering generated approximately $5,309,065 dollars in state tax revenue. The Administrator further noted that the preliminary numbers for March 2021 indicate that sports wagering generated approximately $2.1 million dollars in state tax revenue.
With respect to video gaming, Administrator Fruchter stated that there are 39,149 VGTs operating in Illinois at approximately 7,532 active locations. He stated that VGTs generated tax revenue of $83,852,045 of which $71,521,865 went to the State and $12,231,180 went to local municipalities.
The Administrator provided an update on casino revenues for January 2021. Casinos generated $13,669,758 in tax revenue for the State and an additional $5,937,924 for local municipalities during the month. The combined total of the 2021 gaming tax revenue which included VGTs, casinos and sports wagering but excluded the March sports wagering numbers was approximately $182,500,995 for the State of Illinois and $37,696,494 for local municipalities.
Administrator Fruchter noted that Video Gaming Rule 360 became effective recently and imposed similar record retention obligations on Terminal Operators that casinos and sports wagering operators already have in place. He further noted that new record retention schedules were published and made immediately effective.
The Administrator then provided a brief update on the status of the new casino Owners license applications.
Finally, Administrator Fruchter acknowledged the passing of retired IGB Agent Richard Gesiorski and extended his sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
PUBLIC COMMENTARY
The Board entertained comments from Anita Bedell, Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
• Proposed Amendment to Casino Rule 3000.210 – Annual Fee Dates
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve for submission to the Index Department of the Secretary of State on First Notice the proposed amendment to Rule 3000.210 for Casino Gaming.
• Proposed Casino Rule 3000.195 – Reporting Prohibited Conduct
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve for submission to the Index Department of the Secretary of State on First Notice proposed Rule 3000.195 for Casino Gaming.
• Proposed Amendment to Video Gaming Rule 1900.320 – Use Agreements
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve for submission to the Index Department of the Secretary of State on First Notice the proposed amendment to Rule 1800.320 for Video Gaming.
• Proposed Amendments to Sports Wagering Rules – Streamlining and Revision
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve for submission to the Index Department of the Secretary of State on First Notice the proposed amendments to Rules 1900.740(f)(2) and 1900.1170(b) for Sports Wagering, and further to repeal Rules 1900.1180(c), 1900.1250(g), and 1900.1310(c)(1) for Sports Wagering.
CASINO
Request to Amend Owners License Application
• Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, LLC d/b/a Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, LLC
Administrator Fruchter moved to table the Request to Amend application previously made by Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, LLC d/b/a Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, LLC.
Key Person Approvals
• Howard William Shaw – Par-A-Dice Gaming Corporation d/b/a Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino – Senior Vice President of Operations for Boyd Gaming Corporation
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to find Howard William Shaw suitable as a key person of Par-A-Dice Gaming Corporation d/b/a Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino.
• Peter Broughton – Southern Illinois Riverboat/Casino Cruises LLC d/b/a Harrah’s Metropolis Casino and Des Plaines Development Limited Partnership d/b/a Harrah’s Joliet Casino & Hotel – Senior Vice President of Information Technology
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to find Peter Broughton suitable as a key person of Southern Illinois Riverboat/Casino Cruises LLC d/b/a Harrah’s Metropolis Casino and Des Plaines Development Limited Partnership d/b/a Harrah’s Joliet Casino & Hotel.
• Bret D. Yunker – Des Plaines Development Limited Partnership d/b/a Harrah’s Joliet Casino & Hotel – Chief Financial Officer
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to find Bret D. Yunker suitable as a key person of Des Plaines Development Limited Partnership d/b/a Harrah’s Joliet Casino & Hotel.
OCCUPATIONAL LICENSEE ITEMS
Level 2 and Level 3 License Applications – Approvals and Denials:
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 53 Level 2 and 37 Level 3 occupational license applicants.
Occupational License Renewals by the Administrator
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator renewed the Level 1, 2, and 3 licenses of individuals who were licensed or renewed in April 2020 and who properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Illinois Gambling Act and the Board’s Rules.
SUPPLIER LICENSEE ITEMS
• The Joseph J. Castrogiovanni Revocable Declaration of Trust Dated November 8, 1999 and The Susan M. Castrogiovanni Revocable Declaration of Trust Dated November 8, 1999
Chairman Schmadeke recused himself from this agenda item and Member Ramirez temporarily acted as chair.
The Board voted unanimously to deny the request to withdraw application made by The Joseph J. Castrogiovanni Revocable Declaration of Trust Dated November 8, 1999 and The Susan M. Castrogiovanni Revocable Declaration of Trust Dated November 8, 1999.
The Board further voted unanimously to deny the casino supplier application of The Joseph J. Castrogiovanni Revocable Declaration of Trust Dated November 8, 1999 and The Susan M. Castrogiovanni Revocable Declaration of Trust Dated November 8, 1999.
• Landry Holdings, LLC d/b/a Casino Tech
The Board voted unanimously to issue an initial casino supplier license to Landry Holdings, LLC d/b/a Casino Tech for a period of one year, expiring in April 2022, and further to find Richard J. Landry and Maritza C. Landry suitable as key persons of Landry Holdings, LLC d/b/a Casino Tech.
SPORTS WAGERING
SPORTS WAGERING OCCUPATIONAL LICENSEE ITEMS
Level 1 License Applications
• Hemal Pramoochandra Patel – HC Aurora, LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Aurora – Sportsbook Manager
The Board voted unanimously to approve the Level 1 Sports Wagering Occupational license application for Hemal Pramochandra Patel in his position as Sportsbook Manager for HC Aurora, LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Aurora.
Level 2 and Level 3 License Applications – Approvals
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve the Level 2 sports wagering occupational licenses of 64 individual applicants.
VIDEO GAMING
MANUFACTURER, DISTRIBUTOR, AND SUPPLIER LICENSEE ITEMS Initial Licensee Items
• Entropy Cabinet Solutions Inc. USA
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to grant a Video Gaming Manufacturer license and a Video Gaming Distributor license to Entropy Cabinet Solutions Inc. USA.
TERMINAL OPERATOR LICENSEE ITEMS
Initial Licensee Items
• Gaming Productions, LLC
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to deny the terminal operator license application of Gaming Productions, LLC.
License Renewals
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator renewed the following Video Gaming Terminal Operator licenses for a period of one year, expiring in April 2022:
1. Da Route LLC
2. Gaming & Entertainment Management - Illinois LLC
3. Great Lakes Vending, Corporation
4. Lucky Day LLC
5. Midwest Electronics Gaming, LLC
6. Sinbad's Castle Arcade, Ltd.
7. Top Notch Entertainment, LLC
8. T's Gaming, LLC
9. Velasquez Gaming, LLC
TECHNICIANS & TERMINAL HANDLERS
Initial Licenses – Approval and Denials
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 41 Terminal Handler licenses for a period of one year, expiring in April 2022, subject to licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before May 31, 2021, and further to issue Notices of Denial to the following applicants:
1. GABRIEL GOMEZ (190503067)
2. WILLIAM JOHN GERL (190501527)
3. BROOKS KELLY (190502178)
4. SAM PHILLIP DEFRANCISCO (190503675)
5. PAUL MARKEZ EDWARDS (180502320)
6. PHILLIP SIMON MISER (200502536)
7. ROBERT ALAN PEMBERTON (190503355
VG Technicians and Terminal Handler License Renewals
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator renewed the licenses of Technicians and Terminal Handlers who were licensed or renewed in April 2020, and who have properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Video Gaming Act and the Board’s Rules.
VIDEO GAMING ESTABLISHMENT APPLICATIONS
Initial Licenses - Approvals & Denials
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 104 Video Gaming Establishment License applications for a period of one year, expiring in April 2022, subject to licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before May 31, 2021, and issue Notices of Denial to the following applicants:
1. Bravo Pizza of Poplar Grove, Inc. d/b/a Bravo Pizza of South Beloit
2. Cary Pub & Grill INC d/b/a Cary Pub & Grill
3. DAG SPORTS INC. d/b/a DAG SPORTS INC
4. GOMEZ RESTAURANT AND BAR INC. d/b/a GOMEZ RESTAURANT AND BAR INC.
5. Johnsburg Mobil LLC d/b/a Sunnyside Mobil
6. KELLYS CAFE 2 LLC d/b/a KELLYS CAFE 2 LLC
7. Acees, Inc. d/b/a Acees Food & Fuel
8. Niemann Foods, Inc. d/b/a Haymakers 715
9. OAK FOREST MARATHON, INC. d/b/a OAK FOREST MARATHON
VG Location Establishment Denials – statutorily ineligible
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator announced the denial of the Video Gaming Location Establishment license application of SNA Restaurant Group Inc. d/b/a Sebastian’s Ale and Whiskey House (Lombard location – 200702034).
Location Establishment License Renewals
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator renewed the Video Gaming Location Establishment licenses that were licensed or renewed in April 2020 and who have properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Video Gaming Act and the Board’s Rules.
Location Establishment License Non-Renewals
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to deny the renewal of The West Frankfort Lodge #1340, Benevolent and Protective Order of The Elks d/b/a Elk's Lodge.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to deny the renewal of Hogs & Hydrants Inc. d/b/a Hogs & Hydrants.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to deny the renewal of Hoffman House of East Rockford, Inc. d/b/a Hoffman House.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to deny the renewal of MVP Sports Club, Inc. d/b/a MVP Sports Club.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to deny the renewal of Jakari, Inc. d/b/a Pepe's Mexican Restaurant and PATITOFELIZ INC. d/b/a Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to deny the renewal Bella Banquets, Inc. d/b/a Via Bella Restaurant.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to deny the renewal IRHERE Tap, Inc. d/b/a IR Here Tap.
LITIGATION/SETTLEMENTS
Rule 320 Petition (Final Board Order)
• J&J Ventures Gaming, LLC, Petitioner v. Accel Entertainment Gaming, LLC, Respondent, and Action Gaming, LLC, Intervenors, Docket No. 17-UP-003
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to adopt the Administrator’s recommended decision as a final Board Order.
Requests for Hearing
The Board voted unanimously to deny the request for hearing submitted by Spring Hill Entertainment Inc. and grant them leave to reapply.
ALJ Recommended Decisions
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the Administrative Law Judge’s recommended decision in re: The denials of Trudy’s Café, LLC (Midlothian and Sauk Village) as a final Board Order.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the Administrative Law Judge’s recommended decision in re: The denial of Angie’s Gaming, LLC (Berwyn) as a final Board Order.
Settlements
The Board voted unanimously to authorize the Administrator to settle the disciplinary action of Gold Rush Amusements, Inc. d/b/a Gold Rush Gaming (DC-V-19-093) and the disassociation of Ron Bolger consistent with the proposed terms.
ADJOURN
The Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
https://www.igb.illinois.gov/FilesBoardMeeting/20210421OpenMeetingMinutes.pdf
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