Voters in Downers Grove on Tuesday overwhelmingly rejected an advisory referendum asking if video gambling machines should be placed in a limited number of restaurants in the community.
With 100% of the vote tallied, 17,698 voters opposed the ballot question while 9,738 voters favored the proposal, according to unofficial results from the DuPage County Clerk’s Office.
The issue evoked strong feelings on both sides of the debate. Opponents argued that the presence of video gambling machines in restaurants ran counter to Downers Grove’s reputation. Proponents said the gambling machines would make restaurants more competitive with those in other communities.
Proponents also maintained that video gambling does not increase the number of transients, increase crime, decrease property values or diminish the family-friendly reputation of Downers Grove.
