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The Illinois Gaming Board could encounter challenges following a recent disclosure that they granted a gambling license to an individual who had previously admitted to ties with the Chicago mob.
There are currently many questions surrounding Jeffrey Bertucci, a restaurant owner who was granted a license by the IGB in 2019 to operate video gaming terminals at his suburban establishment. However, he has also acknowledged having connections to individuals linked to organized crime.
There are multiple intricate factors at play, and now the responsibility of untangling the situation lies with the current board members.
Bertucci granted immunity for testifying against mob’s “video poker king”
The gaming board is tasked with ensuring the integrity of legal gambling in Illinois by vetting license-holders and applicants to prevent any ties to organized crime.
In 2010, Bertucci of Lemont admitted in federal court to purchasing VGTs for his Cicero diner from an amusement company linked to James Marcello, a well-known Chicago mobster.
Bertucci testified that he acquired more gambling machines from Casey Szaflarski, who was known as the mob’s “video poker king” by federal authorities. He acknowledged that he distributed winnings to players through these machines, a violation of Illinois law at the time. Bertucci also confessed to splitting profits with Szaflarski.
Testimony also led to conviction of “The Large Guy” and pawnshop Polchan
Bertucci was granted immunity in exchange for his testimony against Szaflarski, which ultimately resulted in the conviction of Michael “The Large Guy” Sarno, the mob’s street boss in Cicero. Mark Polchan, a high-ranking member of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club who also owns a pawnshop, was also found guilty as a result of the investigation.
In 2019, despite openly acknowledging his ties to organized crime and illegal activities, Bertucci was granted a license by the IGB to legally operate VGTs at his restaurant.
How did this happen?
Since 2019, Bertucci has been running the same Cicero diner with video gaming devices that award winnings. State records show that Bertucci’s Firebird Enterprises, Inc. has been granted a legal license by the gaming board to operate VGTs at the diner.
According to Elizabeth Kaufman, a representative for the Gaming Board, Bertucci submitted an application for a video gaming license in June 2018 and was approved in January 2019. Agostino Lorenzini was the interim administrator at the time. Lorenzini, now a senior advisor for the agency, stated to the Sun-Times that he has no recollection of Bertucci’s company or the board’s decision to grant the license.
Since 2019, the restaurant’s six gambling devices have generated over $4.3 million in wagers. The restaurant and the gaming company responsible for the machines have split approximately $317,000 of this total. During this time, the state has received over $90,000 in taxes from the operation, with the town of Cicero also earning close to $16,000.
What the IGB is telling Play Illinois
Play Illinois reached out to Kaufman for an update on the situation, and she promptly provided a brief statement in response.
Kaufman announced that currently there is no further information available. The IGB will not comment on any ongoing, potential, or completed investigations, or on any confidential matters outlined in section 6(d) of the Illinois Gambling Act.
Bertucci’s gaming license was approved by the IGB prior to the current tenure of Marcus Fruchter, the current gaming board administrator, or any other current board member. It is now their responsibility to investigate why Bertucci was granted a license despite his questionable background.
Kaufman stated to the Sun-Times that the board has the authority, in accordance with different gaming laws and board regulations, to penalize license holders, up to and including revoking their licenses.
VGTS are the leading gambling sector in Illinois
Illinois has had casinos for many years, but it wasn’t until 2009 that video gaming was legalized. Since 2012, video gambling has become increasingly popular in the state.
VGTs are the most prevalent form of gambling in Illinois.
In 2022, Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) in Illinois raked in over $2.7 billion in total income, surpassing the revenue from Illinois casinos by twice as much and outpacing the income from Illinois sportsbooks by three and a half times.
Casinos in Illinois generated around $1.35 billion in adjusted gross receipts in 2022, while sportsbooks in the state reported revenue of $806 million last year.
