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Batavia officials voted to allow Gammon Coach House to add video gambling machines inside its downtown pub — even though the business sits next to two church properties.
Video gaming: The City Council approved a conditional-use permit for up to five gaming machines inside the pub’s original building at 3 South Batavia Avenue.
Location debate: The location is next to Bethany Lutheran Church and First Congregational Church, which raised concerns about how close gambling should be to spaces used for worship, youth programs, and community services.
Path to approval: State gaming regulators reversed an earlier denial and ruled the machines meet the 100-foot distance requirement, based on how the building and firewall are defined.
Rules: The approval comes with strict conditions, including no gambling signs outside, transparent windows, continuous camera monitoring, and additional visibility measures required by police.
The owners of Gammon Coach House told officials the additional revenue is important to help the longtime business stay financially viable.
View the full city memo on the topic and watch the council meeting discussion (discussion begins at around the 49-minute mark).
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