The DeKalb City Council approved the use of video gambling machines in certain establishments by a vote of 6-2 at a council meeting on Monday.

These machines will be restricted to businesses holding a license to use them.

The licensing process would be similar to the way the city handles liquor licenses and would require the establishment to only serve patrons 21 and older, said City Attorney Dean Frieders.

The establishments will need to submit to two levels of review before they are licensed to operate the machines.

“They will need to demonstrate a floor plan, but the licenses issued by the city will only be provisional,” Frieders said. “The businesses will also need to obtain a license from the state of Illinois requiring state review as well.”

Some council members said these machines would help to generate additional income for the businesses that install them.

“Bar owners won’t just keep all these additional funds for themselves,” said Fourth Ward Alderman Brendon Gallagher. “They’ll use them to invest in their businesses, to hire employees and improve the community.”

Second Ward Alderman Tom Teresinski said he believed people of age should be allowed to make their own gambling decisions.

“This is not a revenue issue,” Teresinski said. “If I am 21, why should I not be allowed to gamble? I won’t be using the machines, but people should have their own choice.”

The council also looked at the result of gambling ordinances in similar cities.

In all but one case, every university town that proposed a video gambling ordinance passed one, with no notable negative effect on enrollment, said City Manager Mark Biernacki.

Gallagher said gambling is already readily available in the region and DeKalb won’t suffer negative consequences from it.

“You have bingo at churches, casinos in Joliet and Rosemont,” Gallagher said. “If people in DeKalb want to gamble, they can. I hope this passes.”

Some members of the community see the use of video gambling as a moral issue, not a financial one.

“Installing these machines is telling our children and adults that gambling is okay,” said DeKalb resident Barbara Grulke. “We will see crime and gambling addiction increase.”

Third Ward Alderman Kristen Lash said the social cost of allowing these machines is too high.

“The burden on the police will increase,” Lash said. “We have no idea how enforcement will work. The city only stands to lose revenue.”

The ordinance does not allow for any licenses to be given after 2018, to allow for review of the program, Frieders said.

The council also discussed a preliminary financial report for the city, which showed a surplus in funds.

The city is ahead of its funding schedule and will have funds available for things like the new police station on Lincoln Highway, Teresinski said.

An ordinance was approved to allow for a vehicle recycling operation at an industrial lot at 1008 Oak St.

Residents living near the lot should talk to the council if the noise from the operation became a nuisance, said Mayor Kris Povlsen.

The DeKalb City Council meets again at 7 p.m. on Sept. 10.