Oswego Business Unveils First Video Gambling Machine in Town

Video gambling is officially back in Oswego.

On Saturday, Oct. 19 the Oswego Inn celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the achievement, which business owners have been fighting for since the Village of Oswego voted in June 2012 to uphold a video gambling ban created in 1935. 

Owner of the Oswego Inn, Debbi Krzeminski, was vocal in her support of allowing businesses and bars to have the option of video gambling, appearing at multiple Village board meetings to say so. 

In May of 2013, the Village of Oswego voted 4-2 to repeal the video gambling ban. 

Trustees Gail Johnson, Judy Sollinger and at the time newly inducted Pam Parr have all shown firm support in allowing businesses to have gambling machines. 

"I see it as a way for people to choose to spend their money and help our local small businesses gain some revenue," said Johnson at a board meeting in May. "We are one of the only communities that has not supported video gambling. It’s a choice. If they like gaming they will go gaming.”

Trustee Parr said she was excited for the Oswego Inn and the options it would give community members. 

"We’re looking forward to bringing people back downtown and to the Inn," said Debbi Krzeminski. "Thank you to all who helped make this possible."

Establishments wishing to have video gambling machines must apply through the Village of Oswego, which are then approved by the state. Other Oswego businesses have applied, although the Oswego Inn is the first one to be approved.

Trustees Parr and Johnson along with Krzeminski cut the ribbon on the gaming machines, and within minutes one of the three machines already had a player.