Approximately five years ago, two restaurant/bar owners repeatedly asked the Village Council to consider allowing Video Gambling to be allowed in Downers Grove.  No one on the Council wanted it, so those requests went unanswered. One Council Member finally responded, stating that the reason no one on the Council responded is because no one on the Council was in favor of it.

The two restaurant owners then went to work to drum up support from other establishments and get new Council Members – who would support Video Gambling – elected. That led to Video Gambling being brought up as a New Business Item in the fall of 2021.

At that time, the residents responded with an overwhelming majority of emails and speakers saying they did not want Video Gambling anywhere in Downers Grove, but especially not in our coveted downtown business district.  This discussion ultimately ended when the Council “tabled” the issue in November 2021. After this vote to table the issue, a handful of Video Gambling supporters held an impromptu meeting in the lobby of Council Chambers, vowing that if they could not get this Council to vote the way they wanted, they would elect a new Council.

During the recent Long-Range Planning sessions, Video Gambling was brought up. On October 3 and 17, 2023, the Village held public meetings on this topic and heard from a couple bar/restaurant owners and residents that wanted Video Gambling and heard from a lot more residents, doctors, addiction counselors, builders and realtors, the DG Economic Development Corporation (EDC), young families and old, … stating they definitely do not want Video Gambling anywhere in Downers Grove.

On October 24, 2023 the Village Council brought this item to their Active Agenda for a vote. Behind the scenes, they attempted to come up with a revised compromise ordinance they could vote on that was respectful and listened to all residents who spoke on permitting Video Gambling in DG.

Those that oppose Video Gambling  say they don’t want to ruin family-friendly restaurants with gambling, they don’t want it to tarnish the character of Downers Grove, and want to be more like towns that don’t have video gambling, and are listening to the Village staff and the EDC who have stated the 5% share the Village would get from video gaming revenue does not justify the social costs that come from gambling. They feel that while the ordinance has restrictions, they feel it will only be a matter of time, due to a matter of fairness, that 10 licenses would soon turn into 20, then 30, and would eventually seep into the downtown area.

They feel business owners need to come up with successful business models that stand on their own and don’t rely on Video Gambling revenues to survive.  A former Alderman from Darien, who now lives in Downers Grove, has testified how Video Gambling has ruined that town.  And quotes from the City of Decatur are provided below that state their town, too, has been ruined by gambling.

The EDC, DGMC, and Village staff have worked diligently to create sound zoning, an effective sign ordinance, and created new TIF districts, and to appeal to new restaurants and small businesses to now let Video Gambling be allowed in the Downtown Area and surrounding areas.

Business owners opened their restaurants in Downers Grove knowing the Village doesn’t have an ordinance in place that allows Video Gambling.  If that was such an important part of their business model, they had every opportunity to open up an establishment in any of the towns listed below that do allow Video Gambling.

Please take the time to read the Myths vs Facts section, various linked articles, and testimonials in order to more fully understand the issues surrounding video gambling in Downers Grove and the urgency around preventing it from tainting our community.  Tell your friends and neighbors to get out and VOTE NO on this important referendum.  

We also have yard signs available to display in your yard to help communicate the truths about Video Gambling.