The Illinois Video Gaming Act became law on July 13, 2009,
regulating the use of video gaming terminals (VGTs or slot
machines) in licensed establishments in Illinois. The legislation
initially allowed for up to five VGTs per licensed establishment.
In June 2019, Illinois lawmakers passed sweeping legislation
significantly expanding the Illinois gaming market. Among
other changes, the law now permits up to six VGTs per licensed
establishment and up to ten VGTs at specially-licensed large truck
stops.
Not every municipality allows video gaming. On the IGB website,
you can find a breakdown of each municipality in the State and
if they allow video gaming. If your municipality doesn’t allowing
gaming right now, we are here to help!
Throughout 2019, video gambling in Illinois generated
$1,676,612,394 in total revenue.
What is Your State-Determined Cut of the Profits?
Net Terminal Income (NTI) is defined as the money put into a VGT minus the credits paid to the player. The State receives 29% of the NTI generated from each licensed VGT (of that, 5% goes to the local municipality). Of the remaining 72% of NTI, a company called Scientific Games receives 0.8513% as compensation for maintaining the Central Communications System (CCS), which all VGTs connect to. Finally, the remainder is divided equally between the Terminal Operator (who owns/leases and places the VGTs in locations) and the Licensed Location.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve been in the slot machine industry for years or you have no experience, there are MANY terms to know and understand. For instance, one source of confusion is what to call the actual industry. Is it video gaming? Is it video gambling? Video slots? Slot machines? Truth is, it just depends on the person(s) talking about it. For instance, the IGB refers to it as video gaming (hence, the Video Gaming Act). But, if you are talking to a person that plays the VGTs, most likely they are referring to them as video slots.
Here are some of the terms and definitions you’ll find in our terms guide:
If you’re new to gaming and wondering how to get started with VGTs, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve outlined some of the most important steps you’ll need to take if you’re looking to add video gaming to your location:
Now that you’ve applied for an Illinois video gaming license, it’s time to start thinking about where your slot machines will go within your establishment. The placement of your video gaming machines can directly influence how successful you are. Once you’re licensed and ready to go, the last thing you want is lost revenue due to distraction or a poorly planned gaming room.
There are certain things you need to be aware of when designing space for your VGTs, and a few of them are required by law.
Other considerations:
From our experience of designing and redesigning gaming rooms, we know what layouts contribute to a successful gaming environment. For instance, privacy can make players much more comfortable, as well as nice chairs and a non-drafty space that’s not too noisy.
Want to see your game room re-imagined?
Call us today and our game room design specialist will re-design the space with no obligation from you!
There is an art to staffing your video gaming business, and it can be more intricate that you might think. First, hiring the appropriate staff is really important. Whether that means hiring responsible and friendly bartenders, or a dedicated gaming manager, you need to make sure that they are ready and able to perform the functions when it comes to a slot machine area.
Your video gaming application requires that you name someone to be a video gaming manager. If a lot of your business will be focused on gaming, hiring a dedicated person to serve in this role is a great idea. This person would work with your Terminal Operator and manage license renewals. He/she might also manage social media and marketing efforts, customer engagement and promotions.
Staff training will be key once you get slot machines and your Accel Relationship Manager is instrumental in providing you this information.
Illinois video gaming is strictly limited to individuals 21 years of age and older. Your staff will need to card patrons in the gaming area (preferably before they enter) and at least one employee who is over 21 years of age must always have a clear line of sight to the entrance to the gaming area.
Your staff should also be prepared if any issues occur, like who to call if anything happens to a video gaming terminal (VGT) or if patrons experience problems with cashout vouchers.
Your staff should be familiar with those involved with the gaming industry (as it relates to the maintenance of machines and collections).
Discretion should be a top priority among staff and patrons. Stressing the importance of keeping financial information confidential is huge!
The process for getting licensed as an Illinois Video Gaming Establishment can be a long process, in part depending on your ownership structure. With any licensing process, it’s difficult to determine the exact amount of time it will take to complete. You should not expect to have VGTs immediately after applying. In most cases, you can expect the process to take about 2-3 months. However, certain steps can take longer than others and delay your location going live with video gaming.
So, how can you prevent delays in the process?