The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) held its monthly meeting on November 16, 2017 in Chicago. Before discussing the summary of the meeting, we wanted to take this opportunity to remind licensees that while the holiday season is quickly approaching, it is illegal to provide gifts to licensees and/or IGB board members or staff. This is especially relevant since the current language and existing regulations regarding inducements, specifically Section 25(C) of the VGA, speak for themselves. If you have any questions regarding the current regulations, please let us know.

RIVERBOAT

Chairman Tracy began the meeting by informing everyone that Member Dunn has resigned from the Board. The Chairman said Member Dunn will be missed.

The Chairman continued by providing the tentative 2018 schedule, including the likelihood that there will be two meetings in Springfield in May and November and one possible open meeting at a Riverboat in June. The proposed schedule is below for your convenience.

Monday, January 8 and Tuesday, January 9

Thursday, February 8 and Friday, February 9

Wednesday, April 11 and Thursday, April 12

Wednesday, May 23 and Thursday, May 24– Springfield

Tuesday, June 12 and Wednesday, June 13 – Undisclosed Riverboat

Wednesday, August 1 and Thursday, August 2

Monday, September 17 and Tuesday, September 18

Thursday, November 15 and Friday, November 16– Springfield

Tuesday, December 11 and Wednesday, December 12

The meeting continued with the approval of the open session meeting minutes from September 2017. The Administrator made brief comments about the riverboats supplying information regarding minority contracting goals by December 1.  

During the public commentary section, Mr. Glenn Cannon, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor from Naperville, and Mr. Bill Johnson from the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling, both spoke about problem gambling and the self-exclusion list. Both men spoke against lifting the lifetime ban currently imbedded within the self-exclusion list.

The meeting continued with owner Licensee Items. CEOC, LLC requested initial consideration for a refinancing transaction, requested a waiver of the two-meeting rule and requested final consideration of an increase in a proposed term loan from $260 million to $265 million, increasing the total debt to $178 billion compared to the  $165 billion. All waivers were approved.

Final consideration and approval was also granted for the following individuals: James W. Houser, of The Rock Island Boatworks, Inc. d/b/a Jumers Casino & Hotel (“Jumers”), was approved as Executive Vice President and COO; Iris Yvonne Carruthers was approved as a Level One occupational licensee of Jumers as an Internal Auditor; and Brady Ranek was approved as a Level One occupational licensee of Casino Queen, Inc. as Director of IT.

The Board approved the supplier license renewal of Everi Gaming Inc., as well as 82 Level 2 and 160 Level 3 occupational licenses, and issued a notice of denial to one individual.

The Board also issued four disciplinary complaints all against individuals whose alleged misconduct at the casino where they were employed resulted in the termination. The casino name was not provided, nor were details pertaining to the alleged misconduct.

That concluded the Riverboat meeting.

VIDEO GAMING

The meeting began with the Chairman seeking to amend a few of the September Board Motions in which the Board granted the Administrator authority to rescind the disassociation motions previously entered against William Cash and Diana Johns. The Administrator then reported that there are 6,288 live establishments operating 27,879 Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs).

The Board issued two notices to disassociate from Sales Agents. The first notice was issued to Grand River Jackpot, LLC in which they were ordered to disassociate from Sales Agent Ronald Whiteside because he allegedly offered an inducement. The second notice was issued to Accel Entertainment Gaming, LLC in which they were ordered to disassociate from Sales Agent Jeffrey Ellis for his alleged acceptance of an erroneous payment related to signing his own establishment.  

Thereafter, the Board granted initial licenses to 93 terminal handers, two terminal technicians, 172 establishments, and one terminal operator, Empire Gaming, LLC. There were also a number of license renewals granted this month. Angelle & Green Gaming LLC, Barcade Gaming LLC, Dearborn Gaming, LLC, and RCW Gaming, LLC were all granted renewals of their Terminal Operator (TO) licenses as were the terminal hander, technician, and establishment licensees that were up for renewal this month and who provided updated information to the IGB, timely paid their renewal fees, and complied with all other requirements.

The Board issued notices of non-renewals to the following 12 establishments:

• Braidwood Pizza Inc. d/b/a Rosati’s Pizza (150700198);
• Vicki Schwartz d/b/a the Bar (1307043638);
• Tarran Inc. d/b/a PT’s on 66 (150703091);
• Schatze’s Sports Bar & Grill, Inc. d/b/a Schatze’s Bar & Grill (120712028);
• Corner Spot, Inc. d/b/a The Kave (130702117);
• Jack’s or Better, Inc. d/b/a Jack’s or Better (120709527) ;
• Reprise Corp. d/b/a Nicolino’s Trackside (130705329);
• Sheila R. Snyder d/b/a The Uptown Saloon (130702807);
• El Jefe Azteca Inc. d/b/a El Jefe Azteca Inc. (140702467);
• Gaggle Dining Corporation d/b/a Long Shots Pub (120712721);
• C.G.S., L.L.C. d/b/a C.G.S. LLC (140701924); and
• El Jaliciense Restaurant d/b/a El Jaliciense Restaurant (130701573).

The Board denied the application of one terminal handler/technician, and denied the following 11 establishments:

• The Dead Tree Tavern, Inc. d/b/a The Dead Tree Tavern;
• Roni L. Meyers d/b/a MVP Happy Holler;
• Los Amigos #2 d/b/a Los Amigos #2;
• La Bamba Cocina Mexicana  Inc. d/b/a La Bamba Cocina Mexicana ;
• Ginance Inc. d/b/a Angelo O’Leary’s;
• Craiginator Inc. d/b/a Pioneer Tap;
• Short Stop Forest Park LLC d/b/a Short Stop
• Craiginator Inc. d/b/a Carole’s Next Best Thing (160704303);
• 7300 Circle Inc. d/b/a Circle Inn
• South Peoria Memorial Post 8662 V.F.W. d/b/a South Peoria Memorial Post 8662 V.F.W.; and
• The Luna Lounge d/b/a The Luna Lounge.

While the Chairman did not provide specific details for the denial of each of the establishments, he did say that reasons included alleged felony convictions, alleged active tax liabilities, alleged employment of illegal persons, alleged failure to cooperate, alleged failure to provide political contribution information, and alleged expired liquor licenses.

The Board received eight requests for hearings this month. The Board moved to rescind the complaint and moved to grant Hard Luck LLC d/b/a Hard Luck LLC an establishment license after the request for the hearing provided evidence that the co-owner had not been convicted of a felony. The Board moved to rescind the complaints and issue establishment license renewals to Brody Holdings, Inc. d/b/a Brody’s Irish Pub and Brian T. Charley d/b/a O’Charley’s Irish Pub as there is evidence that they have paid their alleged active tax liabilities. The Board denied the hearing request of Murad Restaurant, LLC d/b/a Mariah’s Restaurant for failing to comply with Rule 615. The Board denied the hearing request of Danville Main Street B&G, LLC d/b/a Main St. Bar & Grill for failing to state a prime facie case and failure to comply with Rule 615. The Board denied the Hearing Request of Terrance Maloney although no reason for the denial was provided. The Board denied the Request of Larsens, Inc. d/b/a Larsen’s Corner for their alleged continued active tax liability and failing to prove a prime facie case. The Board denied the Hearing Request of Brenda Doxsie d/b/a Boneyard Bar due to 17 active tax liabilities, despite resolving the alleged active tax liability discussed in the denial.

The Board received two requests to reapply this month. The Board granted the request to reapply of M.C.J. Holding, Inc. and denied the request to reapply of Chalkey’s Tavern, Inc. d/b/a Chalkey’s Tavern.

The Board issued the following disciplinary complaints against Video Gaming licensees:

• The Board is seeking to revoke the terminal handler license of Tyler Jon Devary for his alleged crime of dishonesty;

• The Board is seeking to revoke the establishment license of Bellewood Lodge No. 777, Loyal Order of Moose d/b/a Bellwood Moose Lodge #777 for the alleged inactive status of the establishment;

• The Board is seeking to revoke the establishment licenses of the following three establishments for alleged active tax liabilities and failure to maintain  minimum qualifications for licensure:
  • Round Lake Depot II Inc. d/b/a Round Lake Depot II;
  • CJ’s Catering, Inc. d/b/a CJ’s Restaurant; and
  • Spott Lounge Co. d/b/a Club Classified

• The Board is seeking to revoke the establishment license of GD & JM, Inc. d/b/a Kishwaukee Tavern & Drive-In for allegedly failing to properly report two unlawful entries into its establishment to the IGB;

• The Board is seeking a $5,000 fine from 10 establishments for allegedly allowing underage persons to access, use, or play VGTs. The following is the list read at the meeting, however, it appears that the Board listed all but one of the establishments involved in the sting operation as opposed to just the establishments that allowed underage access to VGTs:
  • Pilot Travel Centers LLC d/b/a Pilot Travel Center #644;
  • Royal Lanes Incorporated d/b/a Illinois Valley Super Bowl;
  • Cabin Fever Bar & Grill, Inc. d/b/a Cabin Fever Bar & Grill;
  • Mamas 4 Star Family Restaurant, Inc. d/b/a Four Star Family Restaurant;
  • Imeri’s Big Apple, Inc. d/b/a Imeri’s Big Apple;
  • Suzie’s XII, LLC d/b/a Suzi’s;
  • Sportsman Tap Inc. d/b/a Sportsman Tap;
  • Hooters of Aurora, Inc. d/b/a Hooters;
  • Lunchbox Café Inc. d/b/a Lunchbox Café;
  • Skotini, Inc. d/b/a Pomegranate Restaurant;
  • Express Lane, Inc. d/b/a Starved Rock Shell;
  • MZBD Inc. d/b/a The Town Bar & Grill; and
  • Express, Inc. d/b/a Expresslane Gas and Food Mart

After the motion was read, the Chairman asked Agent Spizziri questions regarding the operation. Agent Spizziri indicated that 14 establishments were checked and 10 establishments were found in violation. Agent Spizziri included that there is a noncompliance rate of approximately 76 percent. The Chairman commented further to say that the establishments listed should be wary as it is the Board’s inclination to “hit quite a bit harder” if establishments are found in violation a second time. 

• The Board is seeking a $5,000 fine from Capone’s Inc. d/b/a Capone’s and Spammy’s, Inc. d/b/a Spammy’s for allegedly allowing illegal gambling activities to take place on the premises;

• The Board is revoking the establishment license of Westville Hometown Parlor. Ltd. d/b/a Westville Hometown Parlor, Ltd. and the terminal handler license of Jeffrey Ellis. Mr. Ellis allegedly accepted a $10,000 payment from Accel Entertainment for signing up his own establishment, Westville Hometown Parlor, Ltd.;

• The Board is revoking the establishment license of Black Cat Corporation d/b/a Black Lion Pub  and The Twenty One Grille, LLC d/b/a The Twenty One Grille, LLC for allegedly failing to disclosure Persons with Significant Influence or Control (“PSIC”) with disqualifying backgrounds;

• The Board is seeking a $5,000 fine from RCW Gaming, LLC for allegedly failing to timely submit renewal materials; and

• The Board is seeking to revoke the TO license of Lucky Lincoln Gaming for violation of the Board’s Rules and VGA by 1) allegedly offering an inducement, 2) allegedly exerting control over a licensed establishment, 3) allegedly engaging in questionable business practices, and 4) allegedly associating with or employing an unsuitable individual.

The Board granted authority to the Administrator and staff to enter into settlements and, where necessary, dismiss the following complaints filed:

• Alfonso & Mau, Inc. d/b/a El Corral Bar & Grill, DC-V-17-169, including a $137.00 fine;
• JCH, Inc. d/b/a Big Four and JCH, Inc. j.j.’d 610 tap, , DC-V-17-41, including a $10,000 fine;
• Patrick Orlando, DC-V-17-149, including a two week suspension without pay; and
• Jason Hudson, DC-V-17-150, including a two week suspension.

The Board moved to rescind the complaint revoking the terminal handler license of Dennis Mullen, DC-V-17-151, and rescind the disassociation order issued to Illinois Gaming System regarding Mr. Mullen after receiving information that Mr. Mullen has filed his 2013 tax returns.

Rescind the disassociation notice issued to Company Disc Amusement Ltd. regarding Richard Tado and grant the Administrator authority to enter into a settlement agreement with Mr. Tado.

Lastly, the Board accepted the Final Order and Administrative Law Judge’s (ALJ) Opinion regarding William S. Stanford III d/b/a Stanford Gaming, thereby issuing Stanford Gaming a TO license.  The Chairman encouraged IGB agents to read the ALJ’s opinion as the Chairman implied there is room to improve their quality of reporting.

We’d like to wish you and your families a very Happy Holiday season!