Video poker coming to Southtowne

A Carmi, Ill.-based company called WAAB Enterprises of Illinois, LLC has held a Class "F" liquor license for 226 Southtowne Shopping Center since last year, which entitles a business to sell food and serve drinks. Nothing was ever located there. This week, a sign went up for "Nikki's Place" owned by the same company with plans for a beer and wine bar along with video poker and Illinois Lottery access. WAAB has not yet received an Illinois Gaming Board video gaming license. Illinois law requires that a gaming license holder first have a local liquor license. In other towns, WAAB has told city councils that it hopes to open locations in Mount Carmel, Carmi, Grayville, Christopher, Herrin, Eldorado, Du Quoin, Harrisburg, Sesser, Salem, Olney and Anna. The state licensing process has been very slow and it could be late spring before everything is in place.