Empire Slots approved as Roscoe's 13th boutique gaming business

At Tuesday's meeting, the Village of Roscoe Board voted 5-1 to grant a "BL" (Boutique Gaming) liquor license to Empire Slots, which has rented a 1,655 square foot space at Hilander Village, near Schuck's, Remix Tobacco, Fashion Nails and H&R Block. Trustee Carol Gustafson voted against it, asking the Board "to have a conversation as to if they feel they are oversaturated with these. The reason why I voted no is that I personally feel we... I'm obviously in the minority, but I think it's something we have to discuss."

Addressing Village President Mark Szula, Gustafson said, "It seems like, Mark, if you were to drop a golf ball and hit one of your long drives over Hononegah Road, you're going to hit one of these slot places. I'd just like to know if we have enough already, particularly in a particular area." Before this vote, the maximum number of "BL" (Boutique Gaming) liquor licenses in the Village was limited to twelve.

Empire Slots will be managed by ​Mike Capriola II, a digital marketing specialist and graduate of Winnebago High School. With his father, also named Michael, they want to open a more upscale type of gaming establishment, serving only beer and wine. They plan to begin operations in Roscoe by the end of the year, with all new slot machines, after receiving the necessary state licenses, for which there is a long backlog. They plan eventually to open nine gaming locations in northern Ilinois.

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