Illinois Gaming Board met Oct. 20.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Illinois Gaming Board convened for a Regular Meeting at 9:00 A.M. On October 15, 2021, 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. Therefore, the Board held the meeting through electronic means. The meeting was accessible on the morning of October 20, 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 Marc Bell, Member Anthony Garcia and Member Dionne Hayden. Four members of the Board being present, a quorum was satisfied.
At approximately 9:01 A.M., Member Hayden moved that the Board go into closed session pursuant to Section 2(c), paragraphs (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 evidence received per the Board’s adjudicatory authority, pending litigation, the review of closed session minutes of the Board Meeting held on Thursday, September 9, 2021 and to deliberate on decisions of the Illinois Gaming Board in which there is discussed personal, commercial, financial, or other information obtained from any source that is privileged, proprietary, confidential, or a trade secret; or information specifically exempted from the disclosure by federal or State law. Member Bell 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 11:10 A.M., the Board reconvened its Regular Meeting of Wednesday, October 20, 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 Marc Bell, Member Anthony Garcia and Member Dionne Hayden. Four members of the Board being present, a quorum was satisfied.
APPROVAL OF OPEN SESSION MINUTES
The Board voted unanimously to approve the open session minutes from its Regular Meeting held on Thursday, September 9, 2021.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
None.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Administrator Fruchter began his report by noting that the Illinois Gaming Board continues to be quite busy and active as evidenced by the more than 600 new licenses applications up for Board consideration at the day’s meeting excluding the hundreds more license renewals across all gaming disciplines. The Administrator next announced that the Board will be adding a meeting to its 2021 calendar with the new meeting scheduled to take place on November 18, 2021.
Administrator Fruchter announced that there are 7,856 licensed establishments and 41,675 VGTs currently in operation. Six VGTs are operating in approximately 4,468 of those establishments. The Administrator further noted that in August 2021, VGTs generated net terminal income (“NTI”) of $217,123,626, which resulted in State tax of $73,822,898 and local tax of $10,852,047. Illinois’ casinos generated State tax of $25,563,783 and local host community taxes of $6,116,940. Sports wagering produced $4,027,373 in tax revenue. For the period from January through August 2021, Illinois’ combined State gaming tax revenue was $653,085,114, with an additional $126,803,584 going to local municipalities for a total tax amount of $779,888,698.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
• Proposed Video Gaming Rule 1800.1421 – Redemption of Tickets During a Coin Shortage
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 Video Gaming Rule 1800.1421.
• Proposed Casino Rule 3000.550 – Relocating Gaming Facilities
The Board voted unanimously to adopt staff’s recommendation to approve for submission to the Index Department of the Secretary of State on Frist Notice proposed Casino Rule 3000.550.
CASINO
Owners Licensee Applicants – Selection of the Competitive Bid Finalists for the Waukegan and South Suburban Casino Locations
The Board voted unanimously to individually vote on each of the applications submitted for the South Suburban Owners license for the purpose of selecting no more than three final applicants for the South Suburban Owners license.
• Wind Creek IL LLC
The Board voted unanimously to approve Wind Creek IL LLC as a final applicant for the South Suburban Owners license.
• Southland LIVE, LLC d/b/a Southland LIVE
The Board voted unanimously to deny Southland LIVE, LLC d/b/a Southland LIVE as a final applicant for the South Suburban Owners license.
• South Suburban Development LLC
The Board voted unanimously to approve South Suburban Development LLC as a final applicant for the South Suburban Owners license.
• Southland Ho-Chunk Entertainment, LLC
The Board voted unanimously to deny Southland Ho-Chunk Entertainment, LLC as a final applicant for the South Suburban Owners license.
Other Owners Licensee Items
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to not approve Cielo Concessions, LLC and its related owners/members as indirect owners of 815 Entertainment, LLC.
SUPPLIER LICENSEE ITEMS
Key Person Approvals
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to find James Michael Brendel suitable as a key person of Suzohapp Gaming Solutions, LLC.
The Board voted unanimously to find Kimihiko Higashio suitable as a key person of Konami Gaming, Inc.
OCCUPATIONAL LICENSEE ITEMS
Level 2 and 3 License Applications – Approvals
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 94 Level 2 and 114 Level 3 occupational license applicants and to issue a Notice of Denial to Lindsey Marie Schmid.
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 October 2020 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 198 Level 2 and 1 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 October 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, TERMINAL OPERATOR LICENSEE ITEMS
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator renewed the Video Gaming Manufacturer, Distributor, and Supplier licenses of SG Gaming, Inc. for a period of one year, retroactive to August 2021 and expiring in August 2022, and the Terminal Operator license of RCW Gaming, LLC for a period of one year, expiring in October 2022.
TECHNICIANS & TERMINAL HANDLERS
Initial Licenses – Approval and Denials
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 1 Technician license and 90 Terminal Handler licenses for a period of one year, expiring in October 2022, subject to licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before November 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 October 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 APPLICANT ITEMS
Initial Licenses - Approvals & Denials
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 96 Video Gaming Establishment License applications for a period of one year, expiring in October 2022, subject to licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before November 30, 2021, and issue Notices of Denial to the following applicants:
1. 101 South Commercial, LLC d/b/a Kay’s Place – Hillside (200702303)
2. 101 South Commercial, LLC d/b/a Kay’s Place – Brighton (200702631)
3. Burritoville, Inc. d/b/a Burritoville (210700838)
4. SALONI ENTERPRISES LLC d/b/a Conoco (200702317)
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 the following:
1. BIG SLOTS, LLC d/b/a Station 2 pub (210702405)
2. Lake County Sports Center and Entertainment INC d/b/a LAKE COUNTY SPORTS CENTER (200702339)
3. SONNENSCHEIN HOSPITALITY GROUPE, LLC d/b/a THE GRAND BEAR RESORT AT STARVED ROCK (200702471)
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 October 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 MACON PETROLEUM INC. d/b/a P & V Quick Stop.
RULE 320 PETITIONS
• Accel Entertainment Gaming, LLC, Petitioner v. Midwest Electronics Gaming, LLC, Respondent, re: Just Elsie’s, LLC d/b/a Just Elsie’s (18-UP-018); and re: Michael J. Whitaker, Sr. d/b/a Charlie’s Off Main (19-UP-010)
• Accel Entertainment Gaming, LLC, Petitioner v. Midwest Electronics Gaming, LLC, Respondent, re: Linemen’s Lounge, LLC d/b/a Linemens (18-UP-023); re: Charles H & Sandra N Sine d/b/a The Pub Club Broadway (19-UP-008); and re: Leighton Evatt Post #365, the American Legion, Collinsville, Illinois d/b/a American Legion Post 365 (19-UP- 029)
• Accel Entertainment Gaming, LLC, Petitioner v. Midwest Electronics Gaming, LLC, Respondent, re: Lakeside Country Club, Inc. d/b/a Lakeside Country Club (19-UP-020)
• Accel Entertainment Gaming, LLC, Petitioner v. Midwest Electronics Gaming, LLC, Respondent, re: DJ’s Pub & Grill, Inc. d/b/a DJ’s Pub & Grill (21-UP-001)
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to adopt the Administrator’s Recommended Decision to grant Accel’s requests to withdraw all seven of its petitions and make no findings of facts or conclusions of law on the merits of Accel’s petitions.
REQUESTS TO REAPPLY
The Board voted unanimously to accept the staff’s recommendation to deny Jakari, Inc. d/b/a Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant’s request for leave to reapply within one year.
ADJOURN
The Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
https://www.igb.illinois.gov/FilesBoardMeeting/20211020OpenMeetingMinutes.pdf
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