An Illinois County judge has junked a petition seeking to allow gambling parlors to negotiate their own profit-sharing deals.

The State Journal-Register reported that Cook County Judge Neil Cohen upheld the split sharing of profits between video gambling parlors and terminal operators, which he said would prevent operators from offering incentives to gambling establishments.

In a nine-page decision, Cohen concurred with the arguments raised by Illinois Gaming Board and the Illinois Machine Gaming Operators Association that the 50/50 profit split protects the welfare of small, retail locations.

“Plaintiffs argue that they should be allowed to negotiate the profit split, comparing themselves to grocery stores negotiating with suppliers,” Cohen stated in the ruling. “Gambling, however, is not an ordinary business.”