Recap of the Illinois Gaming Board meeting held today, May 17, 2012
May 18, 2012 in Uncategorized
Scientific Games talks with the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB)
The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) had its monthly meeting today, May 17th, 2012. Scott Stewart, Scientific Games (SG), was on attendance and was ready to answer questions. Questions included: the current status of their operations, overview of the roll-out process, and there ability of handling numerous clients.
SG discussed that by the end of June 2012 they will be prepared to run a “test” using between 4-5 locations. The “test” will allow the opportunity to repair any bugs or problems so that the system correctly works in conjunction with the video gaming terminals. After the initial “test”, SG anticipates they will be ready for installation by August 1st, and be able to install roughly 180 locations per week. SG stressed two things: 1.) the goal of going LIVE on August 1st and 2.) their ability to maintain a properly functioning system with little errors.
In addition, SG believes it can have between 3,000 to 4,000 locations functioning by the end of 2012. In response to this, SG was asked if they could handled more then this amount of three to four thousand locations, SG responded that they will hire additional employees if the demand is abundant
SGs Procedure for Installation
The procedure of who will receive installation first will be as follows: the operator/location will inform SG that they are ready for installation, SG will send a team to the site, SGs team will install the equipment, and SGs team will verify the video gaming terminals are properly communicating with the central system. SG also stated a first call first priory bases for installation.
SGs Transparency
SG discussed the transparency of their system and that they will be able to generate financial & safekeeping data (i.e. information as to the machines being tampered with). Also, a procedure will be put in place to collect tax revenue. While Operators will be able to review all tax payments, SG firmly stated that once they extract funds from an Operator’s account and if they are short for any reason, the Operator’s machines will be shut off through the central system. SG also informed the Board that they perform rigors background checks on their employees’. SG further noted that the Board would do additional background checks on its employees.
Amendments to IGB Rules
There were several amendments to the rules, a couple key ones are as follow: 1.) a location has the option of having a redemption device or an employee 21 years of age or old to provide payment, 2.) Fingerprinting will be extend to “video gaming managers” as well as to all of those with a 5% ownership share or more, 3.) the IGB will pass a rule regarding when a waiver may be granted if a locations is within 1,000
feet of a casino, horse, or OTB, 4.) Odds must be post on each video gaming terminal, and 5.) a maintenance log must be kept for each video gaming terminal.
Bob Burke Speaks
Bob Burke, the Licensing Coordinator for the Illinois Gaming Board, provided the Board with an update on licensing matters. Mr. Burke began by discussing some issues they were experiencing. First, there are locations that are filling from towns that have a banned or an anti-gambling ordinance on video gambling. Burke stressed that locations should not file until they know if the town in which they are in either allows or doesn’t allow video gambling. Such information can be found on the IGB website @ http://www.igb.illinois.gov/VideoGaming/prohibit.aspx. If your township has no information listed, on the website please contact your local municipality to obtain such information. Secondly, Mr. Burke discussed the issue that many applications are improperly confusing the actual applicant name and the “Doing Business As”. Thirdly, he discussed that there are three release forms, and these three forms need to be properly FILLED OUT AND SIGNED. Burke indicated also that the IGB has received several “fake” applications. Some of these “fake” apps are people filing to test out the application process to determine if the IGB will accept these applications with certain answers to certain questions. The IGB will investigate and figure out who is filling these apps and disciplinary action will be taken. Mr. Burke ensured that if applications were correctly filed, the process would move in a quicker and smoother fashion. Moreover, technician/handler applications should be available on the IGB website in the upcoming week.
Licensing Approvals and Denials
The IGB licensed the following Terminal Operators: G3 Gaming LLC, Hyperactive Gaming LLC, llinois Gaming Investors, and TAP Room Gaming LLC.
The IGB issued denials for the following: Capp’s LLC, Midwest Gaming Technologies LLC and Video Gaming Industries LLC.
Please call Cory Aronovitz @ 312-504-6154 with any questions and/or concerns. You will receive immediate attention as to your issue.
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