Despite past admissions of illegal gambling ties to reputed mob figures, Jeffrey Bertucci, operator of a Cicero diner, continues to hold a video gaming license. The Illinois Gaming Board’s attempt to revoke the license in 2023 is still under appeal, allowing machines to generate significant revenue, raising questions about regulatory oversight and the pace of justice.
Gaming License Controversy Lingers for Cicero Diner Operator
Two years after the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) initiated proceedings to revoke the video gaming license of Firebird Enterprises Inc.’s Steak N Egger franchise in Cicero, the machines remain operational. The diner, run by Jeffrey Bertucci, has generated over $2.7 million in bets and more than $200,000 in net terminal income since the July 2023 revocation attempt. State and local governments have collected over $70,000 in tax revenues from these devices.
Key Takeaways
- Jeffrey Bertucci, operator of Steak N Egger in Cicero, maintains his video gaming license despite the Illinois Gaming Board’s efforts to revoke it.
- The IGB’s revocation attempt stems from Bertucci’s 2010 federal court testimony, where he admitted to illegal gambling activities and ties to reputed mob figures.
- Bertucci’s license remains active due to an ongoing appeal process, which is confidential and has no clear timeline for resolution.
- The situation highlights concerns about the IGB’s vetting process and its ability to prevent individuals with alleged organized crime connections from participating in legal gambling.
Bertucci’s Past Admissions and Mob Connections
In 2010, Jeffrey Bertucci testified in federal court, admitting to obtaining video gaming devices from an amusement company linked to James Marcello, a feared figure in the Chicago mob. He also acknowledged receiving other gambling machines from Casey Szaflarski, described by federal authorities as the mob’s video poker king. Bertucci confessed to paying out winnings to gamblers, which was illegal at the time, and sharing profits with Szaflarski on a 70/30 split. He received immunity for his testimony, which contributed to convictions against Szaflarski and others.
Regulatory Oversight Under Scrutiny
The Illinois Gaming Board granted Firebird its license in 2019, claiming they were unaware of Bertucci’s past disclosures. After the Chicago Sun-Times began inquiring in 2023, the IGB moved to pull the license, alleging Bertucci failed to fully disclose his past troubles on his application and during interviews. While Bertucci had admitted to a 2000 arrest for illegal gambling payouts, the IGB later discovered he had not revealed the full extent and duration of his involvement with illegal gambling, including his testimony about facilitating illegal gambling in businesses he owned in Chicago and Cicero.
This ongoing situation raises questions about the IGB’s due diligence process and its effectiveness in preventing individuals with alleged organized crime ties from participating in the state’s legal gambling industry. The IGB states that a license remains active pending the conclusion of the administrative hearing process and potential appeals, with the outcome determining the license’s final status. The timeline for this resolution remains uncertain.
