Drop a pin anywhere in La Salle County and you probably won’t be too far from a video slot machine.

The county remains a hotbed of machines compared to the rest of the state, according to the Wagering in Illinois 2018 update by the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability.

The recently released report shows video gaming as the only facet of wagering that showed any real growth in Illinois during the last fiscal year (July 2017-June 2018), and our area has definitely been a key contributor to that upward trend.

As I’m sure you already know, social media has a large impact on businesses today. If you’re not using it, you’re behind. Each platform has unique ways of helping you promote your brand, send out messages, and interact with patrons. It also allows users/patrons to give constructive criticism (bad reviews) that, in the long run, can help you improve your establishment and win new customers.

One of the simplest things you can do as an established business owner who provides video gaming areas, is display signs. Yes, I do mean signs specific to video gaming, but also, non-video gaming signs. Displaying an array of signs required by various regulations is very important. Know the difference between the two types of signage required.

When it comes to your business’s digital footprint, there are common mistakes you may be making that can be easily solved. These mistakes include: underutilizing social media, posting bad content, and responding to criticism. Now let’s dive a little deeper into these mistakes.

Do you own a business or plan to in the future?

If so, you will without a doubt come across the need for a trade or professional association. There is an abundance of resources to support your business’s demands, whether it be networking or advocacy.

If you are new to Illinois gaming, or even the food and beverage industry, here are three organizations that are a great place to start.

During the winter months in Illinois, your video gaming parlor might see a decline in visitors. Why? Typically, from January to mid-April, the weather is cold, windy, and most likely snowing. People are less motivated to get up and go out because of this weather.

Another reason for the decline could be pinpointed towards holiday spending. With the gift-giving holiday seasons over, patrons might feel the need to save money.

There are ways to help fight these challenges though. Aside from attracting new patrons, establishment owners/managers need to encourage regulars to keep coming in.

Once you make a designated video gaming area in your establishment, find the right terminal operator, and the slot machines are installed, the hard part is over, right? Well, not quite.

Fortunately, your terminal operator handles a lot of the work in this process, but there are still some video gaming-related mistakes that should be avoided.