Illinois Gaming Board met March 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Illinois Gaming Board convened for a Regular Meeting on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 9:02 A.M. in the Fifth Floor Auditorium of the of the Michael A. Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL, and through electronic means pursuant to the Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/1 et seq. The meeting was accessible on the morning of March 16, 2023, 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, and Member Dionne Hayden. Three members of the Board being present, a quorum was satisfied.
At approximately 9:03 A.M., Member Garcia moved to 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 employment and performance of a specific employee, pending litigation, the review of closed session minutes of the Regular Board Meetings, 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 Hayden seconded the motion. The Board approved the motion unanimously by voice vote. Thereafter, the Board held its closed session meeting in person and 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 10:22 A.M., the Board reconvened its Regular Meeting of Thursday, March 16, 2023, pursuant to the Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/1 et seq. The meeting was held in person and through electronic means. The meeting was accessible on the morning of March 16, 2023, 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, and Member Dionne Hayden. Three members of the Board being present, a quorum was satisfied.
APPROVAL OF OPEN SESSION MINUTES
The Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes from its Regular Meetings held on February 9, 2023.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
None.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Administrator Fruchter noted that at the start of the open session meeting at approximately 9:03 A.M., the Board voted unanimously to go into a closed session meeting, but the Board motion and vote was not captured on the livestream audio recording.
The Administrator began his report by reminding listeners that March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month in Illinois and across the country. The Administrator noted that responsible gaming is an important focus for the IGB and he provided the audience with several resources that are available to people who would like assistance in this regard.
Administrator Fruchter was pleased to announce that on March 13, 2023, Governor JB Pritzker appointed Mr. Jim Kolar as a Gaming Board Member to fill one of the existing vacancies on the Board. Member Kolar will fill the statutory accountant slot on the Board. The Administrator noted that given the recent nature of the appointment, Member Kolar is expected to join the Board in the near future.
Administrator Fruchter provided a brief update regarding gaming expansion and noted that Illinois now has its 12th commercial casino with the opening of The Temporary by American Place in Waukegan on February 17, 2023.
The Administrator announced that the IGB will hold a public hearing to allow people to address the Board with any comments, questions and concerns regarding the proposed vertical integration rules that the Board voted to adopt in December 2022. He noted that the IGB is currently accepting written comments on this topic but will schedule a meeting at a later date for interested parties to make public commentary.
Administrator Fruchter reminded listeners that for purposes of timely processing, any payments to be made to the Illinois Gaming Board should be directed to the IGB’s Springfield office and not the Chicago office. He also encouraged the use of the Illinois ePAY system when making payments. The Administrator concluded his report by noting he will no longer provide revenue updates from the various Illinois gaming industries in an effort to make the open meetings more efficient. He noted that all the revenue numbers are on the IGB’s website and are available for public viewing.
PUBLIC COMMENTARY
The Board entertained comments from speaker Kevin McGourty.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
The Board tabled the Resolution to Waive Two-Meeting Rule.
CASINO
OWNERS/ORGANIZATION GAMING LICENSE APPLICANTS
The Board entertained comments from representatives of Fairmount Park, Inc. d/b/a FanDuel Racetrack and Sportsbook and Hawthorne Race Course, Inc. d/b/a Hawthorne Casino and Race Course regarding the status of their respective casino development projects.
OCCUPATIONAL LICENSEE ITEMS
Level 1 Approvals
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve Chris Leon Williams as a Level 1 Occupational licensee at HC Aurora, LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Aurora in his position as Director of Casino Operations.
Level 2 and Level 3 License Applications – Approvals
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 31 Level 2 and 31 Level 3 occupational license applicants.
Level 2 and Level 3 License Applications – Statutory Denial
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on February 9, 2023, the Administrator denied the Level 3 Occupational license application of the following individual deemed ineligible under the IGA and Rules: Rodney Ledell Walls
Occupational License Renewals by the Administrator
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on February 9, 2023, the Administrator renewed the Level 1, 2, and 3 licenses of individuals who were licensed or renewed in March 2022 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 89 Level 2 sports wagering occupational licenses.
Level 1, 2, and 3 License Renewals – Administrator Delegation
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on February 9, 2023, the Administrator renewed the Level
1, 2, and 3 Sports Wagering licenses of the individuals who were licensed or renewed in March 2022 who have properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Sports Wagering Act and the Board’s Rules.
VIDEO GAMING
TERMINAL OPERATOR LICENSEE ITEMS
Initial Licenses
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to grant Diamond Gaming Systems, LLC a terminal operator license for a period of four years, expiring March 2027.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to grant Great American Gaming, LLC a terminal operator license for a period of four years, expiring March 2027.
License Non-Renewal
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to issue a Notice of Non-Renewal to Elite Gaming, LLC.
License Renewals – Administrator Delegation
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on March 16, 2023, the Administrator renewed the Video Gaming Terminal Operator license of United Gaming Operator LLC for a period of four years, retroactive to November 2022, expiring in November 2026.
TECHNICIANS & TERMINAL HANDLERS
Initial Licenses – Approvals and Denials
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 45 Terminal Handler licenses for a period of two years, expiring in March 2025, subject to licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before April 30, 2023, and issue a Notice of Denial to Daniel Lucas Grabinski.
VIDEO GAMING ESTABLISHMENT APPLICANT ITEMS
VG Location Establishment Approvals and Denials
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 60 Video Gaming Establishment license applications for a period of two years, expiring in March 2025, subject to the licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before April 30, 2023, and to issue Notices of Denial to:
1. Evolution River Street, Inc. d/b/a Bar Evolution (190702522)
2. Sisco’s Sports Bar LLC d/b/a Sisco’s Sports Bar LLC (220700956)
VG Location Establishment Statutory Denials
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on February 9, 2023, the Administrator denied the following Video Gaming Location Establishment applications deemed ineligible under the VGA and Rules:
1. Alimi Brothers, LLC d/b/a Village Inn Pancake House (220702198)
2. Backyard Partners, Inc. d/b/a Linda’s Place Too (220701854)
3. Boozers at the Gate Liquors, LLC d/b/a Boozers at the Gate Liquors, LLC (220702623)
4. El Patron’s Bar, LLC d/b/a El Patron’s Bar (210702576)
5. Phase6 Hookah Lounge LLC d/b/a Phase6 Hookah Lounge LLC (220701267) LITIGATION/ALJ RECOMMENDATIONS
▪ In re the Revocation of Timothy Adams (17 GB 039) Level 2 Occupational license (11K002792)
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to adopt and issue a Final Board Order dismissing Count III of the Disciplinary Complaint as moot and explaining the Board’s decision to revoke Mr. Adams’s license.
▪ In re the Disciplinary Action of McGee’s Bar and Grill Incorporated d/b/a McGee’s Bar & Grill, Case No. 21-GB-038 (120709145)
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to adopt the recommended Administrative Law Judge decision as a Final Board Order.
ADJOURN
The Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
https://www.igb.illinois.gov/FilesBoardMeeting/20230316OpenMeetingMinutes.pdf
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