It really is a blight. Everywhere you go (other than Chicago) there are sleazy-looking banners offering video gambling. Even unexpected places. Literally every strip mall I'm aware of has at least one, regardless of the income tier the strip mall targets. Even the mom & pop diner just off the highway now has its windows plastered with adverts for video slots and video poker.
Searching for video gambling will only turn up the dedicated establishments (it doesn't turn up that diner, nor many dozens of bars) but you can still see how ridiculous it is from searching any downstate community.
https://www.google.com/maps/search/video+gambling/@40.116774...
Here, the same chain has locations barely a thousand feet from one another, and they're not even the only dedicated dens in that immediate area.
Bar - doesnt show up when searching 'video gambling':
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.117862,-88.2040812,3a,75y,97...
Family Diner - every window is now covered with gambling advertisements, but street view is from 2015, before they converted. Still useful for understanding how persvasive the spread is and the types of businesses that are converting to stay competetive.
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.1329083,-88.2190425,3a,75y,6...
Searching for video gambling will only turn up the dedicated establishments (it doesn't turn up that diner, nor many dozens of bars) but you can still see how ridiculous it is from searching any downstate community.
https://www.google.com/maps/search/video+gambling/@40.116774...
Here, the same chain has locations barely a thousand feet from one another, and they're not even the only dedicated dens in that immediate area.
Bar - doesnt show up when searching 'video gambling': https://www.google.com/maps/@40.117862,-88.2040812,3a,75y,97...
Family Diner - every window is now covered with gambling advertisements, but street view is from 2015, before they converted. Still useful for understanding how persvasive the spread is and the types of businesses that are converting to stay competetive. https://www.google.com/maps/@40.1329083,-88.2190425,3a,75y,6...