Starting a Slot Machine Business in Illinois

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.

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:

1. Ensure your Illinois business is operating in a municipality that allows video gaming. The IGB’s website provides a list of where video gaming is permitted.
2. Make sure the type of business you own (or plan to open) is one of the types of locations allowed to apply for a Illinois video gaming license.
   1. By law, there are four categories of Illinois video gaming establishments that the IGB can license: retail, fraternal, veterans and truck stops. However, a wide variety of businesses make up the category of licensed retail establishments, including some that are known as “non-traditional.” Learn more about non-traditional gaming establishments here.
   2. Note: Unless you qualify as a truck stop, you must have (or obtain) an on-premises Illinois liquor license and serve alcohol at your location.
3. REALLY IMPORTANT STEP: Fill out the application for your gaming license! There are 10 parts to the application that your Terminal Operator can help you with. Luckily, we’ve broken down the process to becoming a video gaming establishment in seven easy steps.

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!