Just like with gambling, there will be winners and losers when the Village of Plainfield considers whether to allow video gaming at bars and restaurants at a future meeting.

Not wanting to roll the dice on Plainfield’s image as a family-oriented community, the Village Board in January 2018 by a 4-2 vote denied an ordinance that would have allowed video gaming at certain licensed establishments.

But the issue reared its head again during Monday’s committee of the whole workshop as trustees once again debated the video gaming proposal.

Proponents say the Village of Plainfield not only loses the gambling dollars, but the money spent on beer and food when customers frequent establishments in neighboring communities. Joliet, for example has more than 70 units around the city.

While the City of Joliet has establishments that allow gaming, residents in nearby Bolingbrook in 2021 voted against a referendum asking if they supported businesses having video gaming.

Plainfield’s proposed ordinance does not allow for video terminals at gas stations or gaming cafes in the village, several trustees, including Patricia Kalkanis, worries it could forever change the direction of the downtown corridor.

“It looks like a lot of board members want businesses I do not think are needed,” she said. If votes were taken Monday night, Kalkanis said she would oppose video gaming in Plainfield.

Village Administrator Joshua Blakemore said video gaming is a profitable enterprise for communities as Crest Hill received $205,308 in sales revenue last year. Lockport received $340,000; Romeoville, $400,000; and Shorewood took in $109,039.

Village trustee Margie Bounchi said she views video gaming as another source of income for the municipality and business owners.

“I do support video gaming,” she said. “People go to restaurants and bars for a night out and to have fun and it is another segment of that.”

Trustee Brian Wojowski believes video gaming will forever change the character of Plainfield.

“I don’t believe it should be in downtown,” said Wojowski. “It is about what the vision for Plainfield is. I do understand from the business owner’s perspective that it is income.”