Gaming cafe owners in Moline spoke out as Class K liquor licenses face elimination by 2027, raising concerns about jobs, revenue and business survival.
MOLINE, Ill. — Gaming cafes in Moline are fighting to stay in business as the city considers plans to eliminate Class K liquor licenses by January 2027.
“It’s not just my livelihood but that of lots of other people,” Rachel Cox, operating manager of Julie’s Video Poker and Slots, said.
The issue has drawn attention from Moline 5th Ward Alderperson Jessica Finch, who has now proposed an ordinance that would allow gaming cafes to continue operating.
“Losing that kind of revenue could possibly mean that we lose a project somewhere in the city. And as prices continue to rise, I think that we need to evaluate every revenue stream that comes into the city of Moline,” Finch said. “I created this ordinance specifically because of the loss of revenue in the city of Moline and the loss of jobs.”
About 30 people are expected to speak at a city council meeting on the issue.
“It’s not just our final chance to talk about it. It’s also our first chance to talk about it,” Cox said.
When Julie’s first opened in 2017, Cox said the business was given a Class B liquor license, which is meant for taverns or bars. Then, when renewing their license in 2018, Julie’s received the Class K liquor license.
“I just received a letter in the mail saying that we were now being changed to Class K, so it was a little bit of a shock,” Cox said. “I didn’t understand why the city would do it. But at that time it didn’t make a difference. I was still able to operate under the same regulations.”
At that time, the cost of the liquor license also changed, from $1,400 for a Class B license to $5,000 for a Class K license.
Then, in January 2022, the Moline City Council passed an ordinance eliminating Class K liquor licenses. Cox said the owners and employees at Julie’s were caught off-guard by the ordinance.
“It wasn’t until months later when I reached out to the city. I was curious if there was any available licenses for expansion, and I was told, ‘Well, no, and actually your license is going to be out of existence in a couple of years,’ and it was a shock,” Cox said.
Cox said gaming cafes generate over $300,000 in yearly revenue for the city and should be allowed to continue operating.
“One year’s worth of class K revenue would be 18 years’ worth of salt brine for the City of Moline,” Cox said.
She said losing the businesses would have broader economic impacts.
“Loss of jobs, empty storefronts, loss of tax revenue, none of it is good for the city of Moline if this passes,” Cox said.