By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington alderman wants to ban new video gaming machines in the city, at least for a year.
Ward 5 Alderman Joni Painter brought up the topic as aldermen rejected a plan to charge fees on gaming machines to help fund a new O’Neil Park Swimming Pool.
Painter also said an east side business in her ward wants to sell alcohol and provide video gaming machines next door to a day care center.
“There is an establishment that wants to get started in my ward right next to a day care center that would have video gaming and liquor sales and be a truck stop where no trucks go,” said Painter.
The city council is expected to consider at Monday night’s meeting Circle K convenience store’s request for gaming and alcohol sales at G.E. Road and Hershey Road, next to La Petite Academy.
A staff report to the council says 59 city businesses have a total 259 video gaming terminals, generating a little more than $750,000 in revenue for the city last year. Painter said that’s not very much.
If the council establishes a moratorium, city staffers will spend the year coming up with proposed regulations and fees modeled after Normal’s town code. Normal charges $200 for each terminal.
Painter and Alderman Diana Hauman also said the gambling machines tarnish the city’s reputation.
“Bloomington got an award for having so many gaming machines in our city. That’s not the kind of prize I want to get,” said Painter.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].
