Gaming Success in Mackinaw
By: Betsy Holzwarth
Updated: October 25, 2012
MACKINAW - Earlier this month, a Mackinaw tavern became the first Tazewell county establishment with operational gaming machines.
At the time, the owner of the Hideaway Tavern told us he was hopeful people hitting the machines would off-set heavy sales and liquor taxes and bring in thousands of dollars per month.
We checked back with the tavern to see if on-site gambling has created the business boom it was looking for.
"People really enjoy playing them. We've had good payouts and everything has been fantastic so far. We're really glad to have them," tavern owner Don Meyer says.
30% of the money from video gambling machines will go to state and local government, the rest gets split between the bar owners and companies that operate the machines.
