The move to put video gambling machines into street locations in Illinois, US, is running into criticism.
The plan by the state authorities to have 40,000 machines installed by a number of licensed operators was intended to combat decades of illegal video gambling and remove undesirables from the business.
Now an investigation by the Chicago Tribune has found that the Illinois Gaming Board has issued licences to some individuals with ties to crime and illegal gambling.
The Tribune stated that at least two people with newly-approved licences had previously been accused of illegally operating video gambling machines and in another case a convicted felon had been licensed.
