Gamblers looking to hit it big playing video poker or blackjack in Downers Grove just went bust.

The Downers Grove Village Council unanimously voted Dec. 1 to ban video gambling in the village's bars, restaurants, fraternal organizations and veterans' halls.

Mayor Ron Sandack said the council's action was an affirmation of the village's 2004 policy outlawing gambling within its borders.

"Video gaming didn't square with our long standing values," Sandack said.

In July, Gov. Pat Quinn lifted the ban on the machines in an effort to replenish the state's barren coffers, but gave cities and counties the ability to ban video games of chance within their borders.

Statewide, about 40 communities have banned video gambling. The DuPage County board banned the games in unincorporated areas several months ago.

In Downers Grove, there are 45 establishments with liquor licenses that could have offered as many as five video poker, blackjack and slot machines, according to a report by the village staff.

The village would keep 5 percent of the revenue generated by the games. The machines could have generated more than $500,000 for the village based on a report by an auditing firm for Naperville, according to Downers Grove officials.

Despite the village's financial woes-its 2010 budget filled a $4.5 million budget gap by raising taxes and slashing spending-Sandack said additional money wasn't worth it.

"The source of the money does matter," Sandack said.

Allowing video gambling could also have a number of unintended consequences, and draw an unsavory element to Downers Grove, especially since a number of neighboring communities have already banned the games, Sandack said.

In addition, village officials said they could not be sure how much it would cost to enforce the law and administer the program.

The Woodridge Village Board will consider banning the machines Jan. 21.

There are 25 establishments in Woodridge that could offer video gaming, which could add more than $280,000 to Woodridge's bottom line, according to Deputy Village Clerk Jack Knight.

By Heather MacDonald
Triblocal.com reporter