SPRINGFIELD – A little-noticed provision in the state’s new video gambling law could turn some Illinois truck stops into minicasinos.

The law, which legalized video poker at bars and veterans halls to help raise money for statewide construction projects, would allow the machines to be placed at trucking facilities under certain conditions.

The games could bring in a windfall of cash for cities such as Effingham, Mount Vernon and Troy, all of which have a high concentration of truck stops because they are at the crossroads of major interstate highways.

But the new law is causing confusion.

Some, such as Mount Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley, believe it only applies to truck stops that serve alcohol.

The new law states that it applies to all truck stops that are at least three acres, have a convenience store and offer a separate island for fueling diesel trucks.

In cities with truck stops, having a grasp on exactly what the law allows could mean the difference between a windfall of cash from the machines or nothing. Although the bulk of the money from taxing video gambling will go to the state construction program, local communities also receive a cut of the profits.

In Effingham, Mayor John Lange said there’s been no discussion specifically related to having legalized gambling at the truck stops in his community, located at the busy crossroads of interstates 57 and 70. But he acknowledged that he and his staff have talked about the financial benefit of having the machines in town, especially during an economic downturn.

“We look at it in a more positive way, as far as the revenue they would bring in,” Lange said.

Truck-stop companies also are reviewing the new law.

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores has five locations in Illinois: Williamsville, Ina, Utica, Roscoe and LeRoy. In a company statement, Love’s spokeswoman Christina Dukeman said, “If there are new laws regarding video gambling in Illinois, Love’s will determine interest level, if any, in offering that option at those locations and will conduct any research and applicable licensing requirements at that time.”

The Dixie Travel Plaza in McLean, which serves truckers hauling up and down I-55, is among scores of truck stops that already offer the machines as entertainment for their customers.

Dixie Manager Tina Kletz, however, said she’s just now researching the law to see how it might affect her business.

“It could mean added revenue,” Kletz said.

Officials at the Illinois Municipal League, which lobbies state lawmakers on behalf of cities and towns, say the placement of gambling terminals in truck stops is not clear under the law.

“It raises questions that will have to be addressed,” Municipal League counsel Roger Huebner said.

Those questions could be addressed by the Illinois Gaming Board, which has said it could take a year to set up a system to monitor video gambling.

In the meantime, local governments are scrambling to decide whether to allow the machines within their borders.

Already, a handful of local officials have banned video gambling in areas they control. The largest thus far is DuPage County, in the western suburbs of Chicago.

In Mount Vernon, the city council has not yet taken up the issue. The mayor, however, said it is something that will be discussed.

“We’re looking into it,” Chesley said.

Huebner said he expects the gaming board and legislature to clarify the law before truck stops begin legally offering payouts on the games.