The Decatur City Council is expected to consider a proposal for the establishment of a small casino at the existing Decatur Conference Center & Hotel anytime soon, local media reported.
Joseph Uram and Jeff Roberts, known to be former executives at casino operator Argosy Gaming Company, are behind the Decatur casino project. Under their plan, the gambling venue would be located at the conference center’s atrium and would occupy a total of 14,000 square feet. The casino would feature between 400 and 600 slot machines and is expected to annually contribute up to $3 million in tax revenue to the city. What is more, 200 new jobs are to be created for residents.
Commenting on the proposal, Decatur Conference Center & Hotel owner Steve Horve told media that if approved, the new casino would benefit not only his business but also the city and its economy as a whole. Mr. Horve added that the gaming facility would make it possible for him to renovate the remaining 185 of the 370 rooms at his hotel and to add more food and beverage amenities and other options.
The Decatur City Council is likely to hear the casino proposal soon. Developers of the project need to receive an approval from the city prior to asking Illinois legislators to add Decatur to the list of locations eligible for a gambling license.
Talks about the city hosting a casino first started in 2015, when a proposed legislation included it among other locations that were likely to welcome a venue of this kind. Currently, there are ten casinos operating within Illinois’ borders, with each of those featuring up to 1,200 gaming machines.
Here it is important to note that it is the state Legislature that determines both the number and the general locations of casino licenses. However, the state Gaming Boardsawards them and it also determines their specific sites. According to people with knowledge of the matter, Decatur is a likely candidate for a casino license as construction of the venue could be finished in four months.
City Manager Tim Gleason pointed out that the Decatur City Council would likely consider the matter at a goal-setting discussion, scheduled for January 19, or as part of a February study session. The official also added that he and his colleagues have already discussed the possibility to reconsider the number of video gaming licenses at bars and other facilities around the city.
Mr. Gleason called the opportunity for the addition of a casino at the Decatur Conference Center & Hotel as an exciting one, but said that there would most definitely be concerns, including the possible increase in the number of gambling addicts among residents and other social ills.
Developers, on the other hand, pointed out that their project would bring more benefits and less concerns to the city as it would generate millions of dollars in tax revenue and would create numerous jobs for residents.
