CRESTWOOD - As more and more villages open their doors to video poker and slot machines, Illinoisans will see more and more signs like this one at southwest suburban Crestwood's "At The Office" bar/grill in Rivercrest Shopping Center at Rt 83 and Cicero Ave.
Crestwood is home to 10,997 residents, 92% white. Between 2000 and 2010, Crestwood's population decreased. The town hosts nine licensed video poker outlets in town, along with an Off-Track Betting facility. Crestwood's median family income was $45,000 in the 2000 census.
So, like many Illinois towns, Crestwood has welcomed unlimited gambling expansion through video poker. Any restaurant in Illinois that serves alcohol can now apply with the Gaming Commission to host up to five state-authorized video poker outlets. "At The Office" and any other alcohol serving restaurant in the area are likely to become stiff competitors for the same shopping center's off track betting gamblers' dollars.
The Illinois Gaming Board's website lists these restaurants and non-profit halls as offering video poker:
Are video poker and slot machines coming to your town, too?
