Over three years have passed since Illinois first legalized video gambling in truck stops, restaurants, bars and fraternal organizations. Establishments must first have a license approved by the state, which is part of the reason why the process has taken so long. Currently, only 65 locations in the state of Illinois are “live” and approved to offer video gambling to their patrons; over 2,000 establishments are still awaiting approval.

The advantages for the state seem promising. Twenty-five percent of video gambling revenue — an estimated $375 million per year — will go directly to the state to fund capital improvement projects like schools and roads. An additional 5 percent will be allocated to local communities as necessary. At first glance, these efforts to fund transportation, education and other needy programs that benefit the public seems laudable, but the implications for consumers may not be.

Though, at this point, it would seem anything that can generate additional revenue for the state’s coffers would be a good move. In light of the state’s budget deficit and overall economic distress, video gambling will be a significant source of funding.

Business owners and machine operators will reap the remaining 70 percent of the benefits from patron gambling. Additionally, the legalization of video gambling will serve to stop businesses from using illegal, under-the-table payouts from video gaming machines as a loophole prior to video gambling legalization.

However, in a bar where people’s inhibitions are already lowered, gambling becomes an even more risky indulgence for consumers — and if on a college campus, it would simply be another hole for students to drop their money. Especially in a bar, consumers must be careful to monitor the alcohol-induced feelings of invincibility and risk-taking tendencies that take an even heavier toll on their wallets.

While that seems apparent, video gambling may very well be the first form of gambling a student encounters — how to approach it, then, would be new territory. Of course, the video gambling machines’ stakes and addictive qualities are not at the level of casino slot machines and Vegas poker tables. But they can still turn an empty wallet into an even emptier one.

The increased funds will help the local community and the state at large, but students need to be wary of the risks of video gambling. Ultimately, it is the business’s right to use legal methods to maximize its revenue, and, just like any other vice, it is the consumer’s responsibility to know his or her limits.