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$60K pool for Super Bowl puts bar license on the line
April 18, 2008
By Linda Girardi Special to The Beacon News
ELBURN -- As far as friendly wagering goes, bets of $5 or $10 are probably the accepted standard.
So the $60,000 stakes in an alleged Super Bowl "squares" game at a local tavern has definitely raised some eyebrows around town.
The owners of Emma's Pub and Cantina face losing their liquor license over the Super Bowl wagering.
A public hearing on the pub's liquor license had been scheduled for this week, but at the request of the pub's attorneys, the hearing has been delayed to April 29.
The pub was closed Wednesday night. When a reporter knocked on the door, a man inside said, "We had to turn our license in," but would make no further comment.
A complaint released by Elburn police said they received a tip on Feb. 1 about a $60,000 Super Bowl "squares" or sports pool being run out of the pub at 117 N. Main St.
"That's big-time gambling," said Denise Hartson in downtown Elburn Wednesday night.
"I've never heard of betting on squares that high -- especially in this economy when people are losing their jobs," the 57-year-old St. Charles woman said.
But other people on the street seemed indifferent about the allegations.
"All the bars do it," was one man's take.
Days after police announced they wanted the pub's liquor license revoked, a Kane County grand jury indicted Michael A. Alvarez, 52, of Elgin, on multiple counts of gambling: one count of syndicated gambling, a Class 3 felony; two counts of keeping a gambling place, a Class 4 felony; two counts of solicitation and four counts of gambling, both class A misdemeanors.
The police complaint alleges that 100 "squares" were being sold for $600 apiece, and that Michael Alvarez, the husband of pub owner Kathleen Alvarez, was running the game.
Kathleen Alvarez, 51, was granted a Class A liquor license for the pub in 2006. Police said Michael Alvarez has previous convictions for keeping a gambling place and syndicated gambling in DuPage County and was sentenced to four years in prison.
April 18, 2008
By Linda Girardi Special to The Beacon News
ELBURN -- As far as friendly wagering goes, bets of $5 or $10 are probably the accepted standard.
So the $60,000 stakes in an alleged Super Bowl "squares" game at a local tavern has definitely raised some eyebrows around town.
The owners of Emma's Pub and Cantina face losing their liquor license over the Super Bowl wagering.
A public hearing on the pub's liquor license had been scheduled for this week, but at the request of the pub's attorneys, the hearing has been delayed to April 29.
The pub was closed Wednesday night. When a reporter knocked on the door, a man inside said, "We had to turn our license in," but would make no further comment.
A complaint released by Elburn police said they received a tip on Feb. 1 about a $60,000 Super Bowl "squares" or sports pool being run out of the pub at 117 N. Main St.
"That's big-time gambling," said Denise Hartson in downtown Elburn Wednesday night.
"I've never heard of betting on squares that high -- especially in this economy when people are losing their jobs," the 57-year-old St. Charles woman said.
But other people on the street seemed indifferent about the allegations.
"All the bars do it," was one man's take.
Days after police announced they wanted the pub's liquor license revoked, a Kane County grand jury indicted Michael A. Alvarez, 52, of Elgin, on multiple counts of gambling: one count of syndicated gambling, a Class 3 felony; two counts of keeping a gambling place, a Class 4 felony; two counts of solicitation and four counts of gambling, both class A misdemeanors.
The police complaint alleges that 100 "squares" were being sold for $600 apiece, and that Michael Alvarez, the husband of pub owner Kathleen Alvarez, was running the game.
Kathleen Alvarez, 51, was granted a Class A liquor license for the pub in 2006. Police said Michael Alvarez has previous convictions for keeping a gambling place and syndicated gambling in DuPage County and was sentenced to four years in prison.