By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – Gamblers in Bloomington spent $180 million on video gaming last year, bringing in more than $700,000 in tax revenue for the city. That’s one reason why the city is looking claim a greater share.
PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with alderman Jim Fruin on WJBC.
“With regard to the gaming, I don’t think any of us expected or knew what to expect with regard to what kind of revenue it was going to bring in, but it has brought in very good revenue to the city,” alderman Jim Fruin said.
Fruin noted that bar and restaurant owners who are looking at steep increases in liquor licenses fees over the next three years aren’t raking in as much dough as convenience stores and truck stops.
According to figures from the Illinois Gaming Board, the top four gambling revenue generators in 2015 were Chronister Oil Company (Qik-N-EZ) at $15.5 million, Pilot Travel Centers at $12.5 million and Martin & Bayley (Hucks) at $10.7 million.
Those totals reflect money actually wagered. Net wagering activity for Chronister was $1.2 million, Pilot $1 million and Hucks $860.000.
The city wants to charge a $500 fee for each gaming machine while increasing liquor license fees more than 50 percent over three years. The city council has not yet voted on the measure.
Fruin said he is not sure whether he will support the increases, but he suggests the proposed hikes of 20 percent the first year and 15 percent in the next two years are not etched in stone.
“There are some options,” Fruin said.
Fruin added those increases should pay for the city’s police hireback program to cover officer’s overtime to patrol downtown on weekends. He blamed the sharp increases on the city for not addressing the fees for decades.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
