By Clay LePard
clepard@cbs4qc.com
Place your bets; after months of governmental hurdles, video gambling is finally making its way to bars and restaurants across Illinois.
For some bars and restaurants throughout the state, this weekend will be their first chance to see their video gambling machines in action with the weekend rush.
On Tuesday, 65 locations went live for video gambling. Local owners say they're happy to add the machines and join in on this cash cow.
"All you have to do is drive by one of the casinos on the weekend and you can hardly get into the parking lot," says Bob Anderson, Owner of City Limits Bar & Saloon in Rock Island.
City Limits hopes to have the games up and running in the next few weeks.
Right now, Avenue Tap in Silvis is the only establishment with the gaming all set up. Across the street, Jesse's Saloon in Silvis say they'll have the games ready for the weekend rush.
Business owners are looking at 35% of all money made on the machines. Another 35% goes to the game operator. The state will receive 25% and city will grab 5% for themselves.
"It's definitely going to be a game changer," Anderson adds. "If you don't have it, it's going to be bad for that person."
Anderson says they're even planning on staying open later.
"The places that do have gaming now, the test sites, they are having to stay open until closing every night and throwing people out," he adds. "They cannot get them to leave."
More than 300 establishments across the state already have approved licenses and should be carrying the games in the next few weeks.
The state will spent the next few years approving the other 2,223 applicants looking to bring new entertainment to their bar or restaurant.
