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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Wendy McCambridge, City Clerk
DATE: August 30, 2017
SUBJECT:
An ordinance establishing a temporary moratorium on the issuance on establish a moratorium on the issuance of video gaming terminal licenses for a period of six (6) months.
PURPOSE:
To obtain City Council's approval to place a temporary moratorium on the issuance of video gaming terminal licenses.
BACKGROUND:
The Illinois Video Gaming Act (230 ILCS 40/1) enacted in 2010 enabled video gaming terminals to be allowed in bars and restaurants on their premises as an accessory use. In 2012 the City of Aurora adopted an ordinance establishing that a license is required for video gaming terminals and adopted the Illinois Video Gaming Act in its entirety. An annual fee and application process was established and mirrored the requirements in the Illinois Video Gaming Act. The Act establishes that a business is allowed to operate up to five machines per licensed establishment. The statute defines a licensed establishment as "...any licensed retail establishment where alcoholic liquor is drawn, poured, mixed or otherwise served for consumption on the premises, whether the establishment operates on a nonprofit or for-profit bases (230 ILCS40/5)." The City of Aurora has not adopted or imposed any further regulations or restrictions and the City currently does not regulate video gaming separately from its regulation of alcohol through issuing of liquor licenses.
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of the recommended moratorium is to address the regulation of video gaming machines within the City of Aurora. Based upon City regulations within the liquor code the current license categories currently have active video gaming terminals:
* Class A - Tavern license is primarily used for bars. There are currently ten (10) establishments in this class. Five (5) currently have active video gaming terminals.
* Class B - Fraternal society or club license are members only clubs. There are curre...
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