Palatine committee backs ordinance to cap video‑gaming licenses at 11 and set 50% alcohol‑sales criterion for new applicants

The Administration, Technology & Community Health Committee reviewed staff recommendations to amend the village code on video gaming and alcohol‑related licensing. Staff recounted a two‑year pilot of video gaming with a sunset through June 30, 2024, and said a moratorium on new licenses had been in place while the village gathered operating history.

To close out the pilot phase, staff recommended a hard cap at 11 video‑gaming licenses (the number of establishments currently operating under the pilot) and an eligibility criterion that any future lifting of the cap should require applicants to show at least 50% of prior‑year sales from alcoholic beverages at the time of application. Staff said the 50% test would be measured at application and could be revisited if council decides to lift the cap permanently.

Council members discussed the proposal at length: some favored lifting the sunset sooner to provide certainty to operators and staff (including budget planning), others worried that the 50% threshold could be a management challenge or exclude family‑oriented restaurants that nonetheless attract video‑gaming customers. Staff suggested options such as a dead band or minimum floor (for example, not allowing an applicant to drop below a lower percentage after application). The committee approved the amendment and placed it on the consent calendar; council signaled it would revisit the sunset timing during the budget process.