Illinois Gaming Board met Sept. 9.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Illinois Gaming Board (“Board”) convened for a Regular Meeting at approximately 9:00 A.M. On August 20, 2021, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued a statewide disaster proclamation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Open Meetings Act, the Board determined it was not practical or prudent, nor was it feasible, to hold an in-person meeting due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, the Board held the meeting through electronic means. The meeting was accessible on the morning of September 9, 2021via 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 and Member Dionne Hayden. Three 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, July 14, 2021.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
None.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Administrator Fruchter began his report by noting that the decision to conduct the September Board meeting via livestream was motivated by the ongoing concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Administrator noted that Illinois’ gaming expansion bill enacted in 2019 has largely been implemented for video gaming and sports wagering. He further noted that the IGB has been focused in recent times on the new casinos that were authorized by the bill. The Administrator detailed the work that has been done by the IGB with each of the new casino Owners license applicants and announced the IGB will hold a special meeting on October 13, 2021 to address the competing Owners license applications involving the Waukegan and the South Suburban locations. He also noted that the temporary casino in Rockford may open as soon as October 2021.
Administrator Fruchter reported that there are currently 7,763 licensed video gaming locations operating 41,129 video gaming terminals (“VGTs”). In July, those VGTs generated net terminal income (“NTI”) of $223,562,495, which resulted in total tax of $76,007,271 of which $64,829,733 went to the State of Illinois and $11,177,537 went to local municipalities. Illinois casinos generated adjusted gross receipts of $121,163,648, which resulted in State tax of $26,432,037 and local tax of $6,804,037. Sports wagering generated State tax in the amount of $5,641,731 which the Administrator acknowledged was lower than in June, but still ranks Illinois as one of the top 3 sports wagering jurisdictions in the country. Administrator Fruchter concluded his report by pointing out that the Illinois legislature is heading into veto session soon and that the House passed a bill before the legislature adjourned earlier this year which contained a couple of important IGB initiatives. First, the IGB is attempting to streamline and harmonize license renewals across all Illinois gaming platforms. Administrator Fruchter stated that such initiative would likely save time and expense for the IGB and allow it to use its resources more strategically. Second, the Administrator noted that the IGB is attempting to license sales agents in the VGT industry. The IGB believes this will ensure the credibility and integrity of sales agents and improve the public’s confidence and trust in the industry. The Administrator noted that the Senate will likely consider that bill in veto session. Lastly the Administrator mentioned that the IGB would like to see the legislature criminalize the unregulated sweepstakes machines in the marketplace.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
• Adoption of IGB Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access Mission Statement
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the IGB Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) Mission Statement.
• Board Delegation – resolution for New Casino Approval Process
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution to delegate the following to the administrator, to expire on December 31, 2022, subject to Board renewal:
1) The authority to authorize a final practice gaming session under Section 3000.230(e)(3) of the Board’s rules;
2) The authority to conduct a final practice gaming session and issue a temporary operating permit under Section 3000.230(f) of the Board’s rules; and
3) The authority to authorize gaming at a temporary facility under Section 3000.540 of the Board’s rules.
CASINO
Request to Amend Owners License Application
• Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, LLC (Williamson County Applicant)
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to grant Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, LLC’s request to amend its Owners license application.
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 240 Level 2 and 259 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 August 2020, retroactive to August 2021, and the individuals who were licensed or renewed in September 2020 and who have properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Illinois Gambling Act and the Board’s Rules.
SPORTS WAGERING
SPORTS WAGERING OCCUPATIONAL LICENSEE ITEMS
Level 2 and Level 3 License Applications – Approvals
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 471 Level 2 and 8 Level 3 sports wagering occupational licenses.
Level 1, 2, and 3 License Renewals – Administrator Delegation
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator renewed the Level 1, 2, and 3 Sports Wagering licenses of the individuals who were licensed or renewed in August 2020, retroactive to August 2021, and the individuals who were licensed or renewed in September 2020 who have properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Sports Wagering Act and the Board’s Rules.
VIDEO GAMING
MANUFACTURER, DISTRIBUTOR, SUPPLIER ITEMS
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator renewed the Video Gaming Manufacturer and Distributor licenses of Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. and Konami Gaming, Inc. for a period of one year, retroactive to August 2021 and expiring in August 2022.
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator renewed the Video Gaming Distributor licenses of American Vending Sales, Inc. and H. Betti Industries, Inc. for a period of one year, retroactive to August 2021 and expiring in August 2022.
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator renewed the Video Gaming Supplier license of JCM American Corporation for a period of one year, retroactive to August 2021 and expiring in August 2022.
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator renewed the Video Gaming Distributor license of Inspired Gaming (USA) Inc. for a period of one year, expiring in September 2022 and the Video Gaming Manufacturer license of Inspired Gaming (UK) Limited for a period of one year, expiring in September 2022.
TERMINAL OPERATOR LICENSEE ITEMS
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, retroactive to August 2021 and expiring in August 2022:
1. A1_Keshav Krupa LLC
2. Action Video Gaming, LLC
3. Donico Gaming, LLC
4. Game On Entertainment, LLC
5. Veterans VGT, LLC
6. Winner’s Choice Gaming, LLC
The Administrator further renewed the following Video Gaming Terminal Operators licenses for a period of one year expiring in September 2021 (subsequently corrected to expiring in September 2022):
1. A & A Gaming Inc.
2. Aces Up Gaming LLC
TECHNICIANS & TERMINAL HANDLERS
Initial Licenses – Approval and Denials
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 2 Technician licenses and 142 Terminal Handler licenses for a period of one year, expiring in September 2022, subject to licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before October 31, 2021.
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 August 2020, retroactive to August 2021, and the individuals who were licensed or renewed in September 2020 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 144 Video Gaming Establishment License applications for a period of one year, expiring in September 2022, subject to licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before October 31, 2021, and issue Notices of Denial to the following applicants:
1. D D & M PETROLEUM, INC. d/b/a MCCOOK BP (200702921)
2. Imperial Pub Corp. d/b/a Imperial Pub (210700289)
3. My Bubby LLC d/b/a Bubb’s Backroads Bar (210700091)
VG Location Establishment Denials – statutorily ineligible
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator denied the Video Gaming Location Establishment license applications of BOK CHOY ASIAN KITCHEN ADDISON INC. d/b/a Bok Coy Asian Kitchen (200702427) and BLACK BEAR ENTERPRISES, INC. d/b/a Village Inn of Wauconda (210700500).
Location Establishment Renewals by Administrator
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 August 2020, retroactive to August 2021, and those that were licensed or renewed in September 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 Wilson Liquor PB, LLC d/b/a Wilson’s Liquor PB, LLC.
The Administrator corrected his previous Terminal Operator renewal to the following:
Pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Board on June 11, 2020, I am renewing the following Video Gaming Terminal Operator licenses for a period of one year expiring in September 2022:
1. A & A Gaming Inc.
2. Aces Up Gaming LLC
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to deny the renewal of SHRI GASOLINE INC. d/b/a BP SHOP.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to deny the renewal of TR RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. d/b/a R.B.I.’s.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to deny the renewal of Muaremi, Inc. d/b/a Mustang’s Bar & Grill.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to deny the renewal FOS, Inc. d/b/a Casey’s Pub.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to deny the renewal of GRD of Neoga, Inc. d/b/a The Depot of Neoga.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to deny the renewal of Tammy Diane Kerley and Joseph Glen Kerley – Partnership d/b/a Beehive Lounge.
RULE 320 PETITIONS
• Pug Mahones, Inc. d/b/a Pug Mahones Irish Pub & Grill, Petitioner, (“Pug”) v. Gaming & Entertainment Management – Illinois LLC, Respondent, (“GEM”), 18-UP-017
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to adopt the Administrator’s Recommended Decision as a final Board Order in this matter.
• Accel Entertainment Gaming, LLC, Petitioner, v. Midwest Electronics Gaming, LLC, Respondent, Re: Bink, Inc. d/b/a Feeling Lucky Lounge and Package 17-UP-006; American Legion Clarence V. Scheel Post No. 292 of Mascoutah, Illinois 18-UP-015; and JJJR Silver Creek Inc. d/b/a Silver Creek Saloon 19-UP-009
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to adopt the Administrator’s Recommended Decision as a final Board Order in this matter.
REQUESTS FOR HEARING AND REQUESTS TO REAPPLY
Requests for Hearing
The Board voted unanimously to deny Lounge 33, LLC d/b/a Lounge 33’s (210700287) request for hearing.
LITIGATION/ALJ RECOMMENDED DECISION
• In re: The Discipline of ANNABCICERO INC. d/b/a Big TOP & ANNABCICERO2 INC. d/b/a Big Top 2 (19-GB-018)
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to adopt the Administrator’s Recommended Decision as a final Board Order in this matter.
ADJOURN
https://www.igb.illinois.gov/FilesBoardMeeting/20210909OpenMeetingMinutes.pdf