Happy (almost) Spring! The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) held a special meeting on March 7th in Chicago. Before we provide a synopsis of both the Riverboat and Video Gaming meetings, we wanted to take a few moments to discuss two items. 

The first is the amendment of Rule 320 and the required changes to the use agreements. As you likely saw in our recent email, the IGB’s interpretation of the Rule 320 amendment is that a Use Agreement can have no auto-renew provision at all. If you would like us to modify the latest version of your Use Agreement, please email either Donna or Bill.

Secondly, as we enter the annual college basketball tournament it's important to remind your locations of the ramifications of allowing or permitting illegal gambling, such as brackets or pools, at their establishments.

RIVERBOAT

The meeting began with Members Hansen, Robinson and Alejandre present and the Chairman attending via phone. The Board approved the meeting minutes from the February 2018 meeting, but all declined any further comments.

Although there was no public commentary listed on the agenda, Ms. Kathy Gilroy stood to address the Board. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Ms. Gilroy began her commentary by asking procedural questions pertaining to the Open Meetings Act (OMA). She then claimed that she attempted to attend the open meeting scheduled for 9:00 a.m. (as mentioned on the agenda posted on the IGB’s website), however she and others were turned away. Ms. Gilroy believed it to be a violation of the OMA. Member Robinson, however, stated that Ms. Gilroy was ultimately let in to the meeting and therefore no violation occurred. Ms. Gilroy contended however that she was not given the opportunity to make public commentary. 

Regarding items for final consideration, the IGB approved the following individuals:

• Chitra Croker of Des Plaines Development Limited Partnership d/b/a Harrah’s Joliet Casino & Hotel (“Harrah’s”) as a Level 1 licensee;
• Kristine Maria Bonchik of Harrah’s as a Level 1 licensee;
• Todd M. George as a Key Person for HC Joliet LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Joliet, Alton Casino, LLC d/b/a Argosy Casino Alton, and HC Aurora LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Aurora for his position as Senior Vice President of Regional Operations for Penn National Gaming, Inc.; and
• Ernest Glidden as a Key Person for Harrah’s and Southern Illinois Riverboat/Casino Cruises LLC d/b/a Harrah’s Metropolis Casino for his position of Senior Vice President of Finance Operations for Caesars Entertainment Corporation, LLC (CEC).

The Board approved the supplier license renewal of SUZOHAPP Gaming Solutions, LLC, and 33 Level 2 and 58 Level 3 occupational licenses. The Board issued notices of denial to two individuals.

The Board issued two disciplinary complaints. Genesis Gaming Solutions, Inc. was fined $5,000 for allegedly failing to file annual update documents on time and allegedly filing inaccurate information. The occupational license of Donna Ray Pullman was revoked as she was terminated from her position for allegedly violating casino policy.

That concluded this month’s brief Riverboat Meeting.

VIDEO GAMING

The Board approved its minutes for the February 2018 meeting but declined all further comments. Notably, the Administrator’s report of operating video gaming terminals (VGTs) was missing. He stated that, unfortunately, he was unable to pull the numbers in between the closed and open sessions.

Following up from last month’s meeting, IGB staff attorney Sheera Hobfoll again made a presentation under Board Policy items requesting an amendment to Rule 570. If you remember from our last newsletter, the purpose of the amendment is to provide a better process regarding locations with tax liabilities and allow said locations to reapply without leave from the Board if satisfactory evidence was provided by either the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) or the location. After Ms. Hobfoll’s presentation, both the Chairman and Member Hansen had questions regarding why the IGB would accept documentation/evidence from the location instead of solely from IDOR. Discussions continued and no conclusion was reached at this time. It should be noted, however, that only allowing IDOR to provide the documentation would be harmful to locations as IDOR does not provide notification that establishments are current on filings.

After a long road, Eureka Entertainment, LLC was finally granted its initial terminal operator license, while the following terminal operators had their licenses renewed:

• Abraham Gaming, LLC;
• Arkadian Gaming, LLC;
• Ashiq Gaming, LLC;
• B&B Amusement of Illinois, LLC;
• Dragonfly Gaming, Inc.;
• Emperor Video Slots Corporation;
• Fair Share Gaming, LLC; Laurel Gaming, LLC;
• Leisure Time Gaming & Amusements, Inc.;
• Mississippi Gaming and Amusements, LLC; and
• WAMI Gaming, LLC.

The Board approved 37 terminal handlers, 66 video gaming establishments and granted requests to reapply to the following nine applicants:

• Taco Stan’s LLC d/b/a Jimbo’s BBQ and Brew;
• Gaggle Dining Corporation d/b/a Long Shots Pub;
• Schatze’s Sports Bar & Grill, Inc. d/b/a Schatze’s Bar & Grill;
• Sheila R. Snyder d/b/a The Uptown Saloon;
• J.C. Fairview Development, LLC d/b/a Fairview Quick Stop;
• Zaynah Petroleum, Inc. d/b/a Zaynah Petroleum, Inc.;
• A.J.R.J. Sears, Inc. d/b/a One Eyed Jack’s;
• Lyle D. Grant (handler); and
• Chaser’s Tap Inc. d/b/a Chaser’s Tap. 

The Board also renewed annual licenses that were up for renewal this month, where the annual renewal fee was paid and the licensees updated their applications. 

There were no denials or notices of nonrenewal issued. 

There were only three disciplinary matters discussed at this meeting. The first was the Board voting to amend the Disciplinary Complaint against Lucky Lincoln, DC-V-17-226, to add a count for alleged activity by undisclosed sales agents. The second was the Board voting to revoke the establishment licenses of two locations, BGRZ, Inc. d/b/a 51 Main and Loose Taps Incorporated d/b/a Memphis on Main, for reasons that included allegedly trying to circumvent Rule 810, which addresses adjacent locations.

Lastly, the Board reviewed the decision of the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) in DC-V-16-73, In re: The Disciplinary Action of Villa Napoli L.T.D d/b/a Villa Napoli, and voted to adopt the ALJ decision and issue a final order to revoke the license of this location.

The meeting was then adjourned.