Last year government officials approved video gambling for the state of Illinois. They also gave cities and towns the right to approve the games or bow out. Many towns have bowed out but it looks as though Rockford may be going the other route and adding the games.

Currently poker players in Rockford have to go to Elgin to play their favorite games. But possibly soon the area could have their own games. BJ’s Place in one example of an establishment that could do well with the games. They currently have the machines just for fun but the owner would like to add the real ones for extra revenue.

Bob Parvin the owner of BJ’s Place has stated that the machines would help get some of the money back the money back they have lost due to the smoking ban and the economy. But as you know for every person that is for the machines there is going to be someone against them.

Stanley Campbell the director of Rockford Urban Ministries is one who is against the machines. He has asked the question of who will take care of the families of the people who cannot stop gambling on the video poker machines. Campbell is working on a coalition to ban the gaming machines in the area.

Even though some are opposed it looks as though the machines will be coming to the area unless the city council decides to ban it. It the council does not ban the machines they will most likely be added in the next twelve to eighteen months.


- 2010-01-07