Universal Gem

09/29/2026

We were thrilled to attend the Illinois Licensed Beverage Association (ILBA) annual business meeting and trade show in Springfield last week, where we met a whole bunch of great business owners. Fun fact, it was the 140th annual convention, serving a membership of over 1,200 liquor license holders! We want to extend a personal "thank you" to everyone who stopped by our booth for a chat.

We're proud to do things like this where we learn so much about the needs and the goals of our partner locations, and other small business owners. It's always been our goal to be the best business partner we can be--whether that's helping with a gaming business, or any of the other 1,000 things bars, restaurants, cafes, fraternal organizations and other small businesses have to think about just about every day!

08/26/2026

If you've ever considered opening a slot machine business, you're going to need to get a gaming license. It might sound intimidating but it's actually pretty straightforward, once you understand how it works. Reading our guide to Illinois Gaming Licenses is a great start 👉 https://ugaminggroup.com/illinois-gaming-license-requirements-a-comprehensive-guide/

Here's what you can expect to find:
-Application fees
-License terms
-Responsible gaming requirements
-Renewal fees
and more...

And if you're ready to move forward with gaming for your bar, restaurant, truck stop, fraternal organization or even a dedicated gaming cafe, contact us and we will work right alongside you to obtain your gaming license. We're with you every step of the way.

Get all the essential information you need to obtain or maintain an Illinois gaming license, from eligibility requirements to regulations.

08/13/2026

Looking for a way to significantly increase monthly revenue for your bar or restaurant? Read our comprehensive guide to video gaming to learn everything you need to know about how the business works.

If it sounds like a good opportunity for you, contact us. We'll answer any questions you have and we can help you get started right away.

Video gambling machines, or video slot machines, are games of chance such as video poker and slots, creating revenue for businesses and entertaining patrons.

08/10/2026

Congrats to all of the winners for the WNBA Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever game!! We booked this awesome suite for our locations to run a giveaway for their patrons! Without them we couldn't have made this happen!

Shout out to all of our participating locations (your winners had a blast!!!): Rosati's Pizza Pub of Yorkville, Steve's Old Time Tap, Looney's Little Chicago, Rosy's Watering Hole, Kathy Sue’s Spirits and More, Bottoms Up on 7th, Ducky's Lagoon, Luli's, The Corner Tap, Randall Roadhouse, Stoney Point Grill - Homewood, Stoney Point Grill - Mokena, O'Connell's Pub Time, Paddy B's of Orland Park, Fat Tommy's Grill & Sports Bar, Dutch Inn West, Reilly's Daughter Oak Lawn, Rocco's Pub, Quan's Oasis in Berwyn, The Point Sports Bar & Grill, Jokers Wild Cafe, The Montcler Hotel & Resort, CaraWay's Bar & Grill, Rosie O Reilly's, Off The Traxx Bar

08/06/2026

⛳ Fore! What a great day!

Today's golf outing was a hole-in-one! 🏌️ Thank you ILBA Chapter 59 for having us!

We loved sponsoring one of the holes and meeting all of the golfers while handing out some awesome branded golf gear—including magnetic Golf Club & Shoe Brush. To top it off, golfers also had the chance to enter to win 4 Club Suite tickets to Guaranteed Rate Field! ⚾

Huge shoutout to for helping us create these incredible custom giveaways. They looked amazing, and we loved seeing everyone put them to good use!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our hole—we're already looking forward to the next outing! 💙💎

07/21/2026

How much revenue do small businesses earn through video gaming? It's one of the most common questions we get, and we have answers!

Video gaming is one of the most consistent supplemental income streams for bars, restaurants, truck stops, convenience stores and many other small businesses. What's even better is that gaming creates customer loyalty, attracts new visitors, and it's one of the most "hands-off" ways to earn extra revenue. Revenue that can be used to make improvements to your business, expand your business, hire additional staff, or even invest in new businesses.

Read our video gaming revenue guide, and contact us to learn how to get started earning more revenue every month for your business! 👉 https://ugaminggroup.com/how-much-revenue-do-illinois-gaming-establishments-make-per-year/

Illinois gaming revenue data shows bars and restaurants earn $30,000–$40,000 per year from video gaming terminals. See Illinois video gaming revenue by location and establishment type.

07/15/2026

Thrilled to see our very own Sarah Danet featured in the June issue of Illinois Gaming & Beverage Review! In the front-page article, Sarah talks about the state of the video gaming industry and how Universal Gem helps business owners maximize their profit and potential with an unmatched dedication to service.

Congratulations, Sarah! And contact us today to learn how Universal Gem can help your business generate more revenue than ever before.

07/07/2026

What types of businesses can earn revenue from video gaming? It's not just bars and restaurants. Many small businesses leverage video gaming terminals (VGTs, or 'video slots') to grow revenue, increase dwell time and create customer loyalty. Read our guide about what type of Illinois small businesses can profit from video gaming, and how they do it 👉 https://ugaminggroup.com/how-illinois-small-businesses-can-grow-revenue-with-video-gaming-terminals/

And don't hesitate to reach out to us to talk about how we can help you get set up quickly!

For Illinois small business owners who are constantly looking for ways to increase revenue and grow customer engagement, video gaming terminals (VGTs) have proven to be a winner.

04/30/2026

40 YEARS?! Now that’s something to celebrate 🎉 Stacy's Cafe

Our Account Manager Carmella DiZeo recently joined one of our amazing partners to celebrate their 40th Anniversary in business—and we couldn’t be more proud to be part of their story.

We’ve been partnered together for over 10 years, and moments like this remind us that it’s about so much more than just business. It’s about showing up, celebrating the wins (big and small), and building real relationships along the way.

Huge congratulations on 40 incredible years 👏 and thank you for letting us be part of the journey. We’re so grateful for this partnership and excited for what’s ahead!

01/29/2026

Chicago has legalized VGTs for Chicago bars and restaurants.This means a massive revenue opportunity for those who get in the game now.The smart move?Start planning before everyone else does.Don't miss this golden opportunity to add significant revenue to your Chicago bar or restaurant. Here's how to prepare!

The Chicago City Council has approved an alternate 2026 budget plan that, among other things, legalizes Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs, often called ‘video slots’ or simply ‘slot machines’) in Chicago bars and restaurants for those Wards that choose to opt in.