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City committee to discuss video poker machines this evening
By Stephanie Brien
Journal Times
RACINE — What should the City of Racine do about illegal video poker machines? That is the question that the Public Safety and Licensing Committee is scheduled to discuss tonight at its 5 p.m. meeting at City Hall, 730 Washington Ave., room 205.
Video poker machines are illegal everywhere in the state except casinos, but under state law it is not a criminal offense to have five or less video gambling machines in establishments with Class B liquor licenses. Class B establishments are places where alcohol is both sold and consumed. It is only a misdemeanor for those establishments and only the Wisconsin Department of Revenue has jurisdiction over Class B establishments’ poker machines.
On the other hand, it is a criminal offense to have video poker machines at locations that do not have a Class B liquor license such as gas stations and convenience stores. And local law enforcement agencies are allowed to enforce that law.
Two weeks ago the licensing committee discussed what to do about the poker machines and members offered various suggestions, but they deferred any decision. The numerous suggestions included: having the sheriff’s department enforce gas stations and convenience stores; taxing the profits from the machines; or writing a letter to the state asking for better enforcement.
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