The South Beloit City Council debated whether boutique gaming (BG) license holders should be allowed many of the same flexibilities as bars and approved a one‑time, test‑run allowance for two BG license holders to host a food truck and a bags tournament while staff prepares ordinance amendments.

City staff framed the issue as a legacy code problem: the city’s BG license rules were enacted roughly 15 years ago and have been amended piecemeal, producing enforcement difficulties. “We had this long list of things we would not allow under a BG license, and we just kinda keep chipping away at it. And so now it's kinda turned into a mess,” a staff member said. Council members and license holders disagreed about the best approach. Roxanne (last name not provided in the transcript) and other council members argued BG licensees should be granted more of the same operational flexibilities as bars; another council member recommended retaining the distinction because BG licensees typically do not meet the “50% of gross receipts from alcohol” test used for class A bar‑restaurant licenses.

Salvatore, who identified himself as owner of Sal Slots, urged the council to allow food trucks and other activities, noting BG licensees pay higher annual fees per location and that gaming revenues frequently exceed on‑premises alcohol sales: “I am wondering if Cousins' food truck... could come to Sal Slots… I think it makes more sense that a person that is paying more for a year would at least be allowed to do the same things as a bar,” he said. Staff and some council members expressed concern about fairness to restaurants and bars and about maintaining zoning and health standards for outdoor food service.

The council voted to permit two specific BG license holders to host the food‑truck and bags events as a one‑time test while staff drafts a consolidated ordinance. Councilmembers asked staff to examine ordinances from comparable municipalities (one councilmember suggested Loves Park as a model) and return with proposed language. Tracy, a city staff member, said the proposed ordinance changes will be prepared and brought back to a future meeting.

Next steps: staff will draft ordinance revisions to clarify allowable activities for BG license holders, return to the council with recommended changes, and in the interim the two named licensees may proceed with the one‑time events approved at this meeting.