New video gaming businesses open

A series of new video gaming establishments will create dozens of new jobs in Southern Illinois, including a location at 517 E. Vienna St. in Anna which opened last Friday.

“The excitement of video gaming will soon be just around the corner in 13 Southern Illinois communities,” said Ranessa Cunningham, a spokesperson for the Carmi-based company WAAB Enterprises of Illinois LLC.

Nikki’s Place also has opened in Du Quoin, Sesser, Harrisburg and Carmi. The company also plans opening sites in Murphysboro, Christopher, Herrin, Eldorado, Olney, West City and Mt. Carmel.

“We can hardly wait to be up and running in all of these communities,” Cunningham said.

“Our company looks forward to providing new revenue for each of these communities while building a business the leaders and residents of these communities can be proud of.”

Cunningham said the business will offer “the finest in Illinois video gaming.”

The Illinois Video Gaming Act authorizes the installation of up to five licensed video gaming terminals in licensed establishments where liquor is served.

Each Southern Illinois Nikki’s Place will offer the maximum number of gaming terminals.

Beer, wine and a variety of snacks will also be sold, along with a full range of Illinois Lottery tickets.

Income generated from the video gaming terminals is divided among the state, local government entity issuing the liquor license, terminal operator, location and Scientific Games.

The state receives 25 percent of the net terminal income generated from each licensed video gaming terminal.

Five percent of the net terminal income also goes to the local government entity that issued the liquor license.

Of the remaining 70 percent, Scientific Games receives 0.7275 percent of the terminal net income as compensation for building and maintaining the central communication system.

The remaining income is divided equally between the terminal operator and location.