Illinois Gaming Regulator Investigating Why Mob-Linked Businessman Received Slots License

The Illinois Gaming Board is investigating how a mob-linked businessman received a slot machine license. Jeffrey Bertucci received approval in 2019 to operate video gaming machines at his restaurant despite testifying in a 2010 federal court case that he obtained machines from people with organized crime links. He would pay out the winnings to gamblers, which was illegal in Illinois at the time.

make sure that legal gambling has no links to organized crime

None of the current board members were on the Illinois Gaming Board when the decision to green-light Bertucci’s 2019 application was made. One of the board’s key roles is to make sure that legal gambling has no connections to organized crime. It does have the ability to revoke licenses, if necessary.

A concerning link exists between the company from which Bertucci gets his gambling devices and a former key politician. One of Accel Entertainment’s lobbyists is a company run by Michael Kasper, once a top aide to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who is currently facing federal racketeering charges over allegations that he was using his political influence for personal financial gain. The gaming board intends to be sure that this political connection didn’t play a role in Bertucci receiving his license.