A Year Of Waiting: Decisions On 5 Illinois Casino Licenses Still In Limbo

Casinos in Danville, Waukegan, Rockford, Williamson County, and the southern suburbs were permitted by the 2019 Illinois entertainment expenses.

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has yet to respond to license applicants, even though they submitted their applications in October and January 2019.

The law stipulates that the IGB has a period to review and practice the applications. The deadline for their decision-making is set for October 28, 2020.

However, there is now worry that the IGB may not meet the deadline.

Why it’s feasible for a pause past Oct. 28

The wording in the Illinois Gaming Act provides some flexibility for the IGB.

Gene O’Shea, a spokesperson for IGB, referred Play Illinois to P.A. 101-31, stating:

If the IGB does not issue the licenses within the stated time frame, the statute demands that they provide the applicant with a written explanation. This explanation should clarify why a decision has not been made and when they reasonably anticipate making one.

Shea also provided the following details regarding the registration process for casinos:

The IGB merely declares that it is operating, scrutinizing, and investigating new game applicant submissions regarding pending applications. The decisions about the approval or rejection of an owner & rsquo, licensee will be made during a board meeting.

The panel is set to hold its next meeting on October 28, where the most urgent topic is likely to be on the agenda.

Some applicants to IL casinos might be the reason for the wait.

At the latest board meeting on September 17, the game registration procedure was briefly discussed by IGB Administrator Marcus Fruchter.

Fruchter pointed out that the committee’s responsibilities have increased significantly since last year. However, he also discussed concerns from the opposing viewpoint. Fruchter stated:

When applicants and current licensees do not provide prompt and complete answers, documents, disclosures, or responses to any requests from the board, it exacerbates the already substantial workload of the staff. While the majority of statements are accurate and timely, those who fail to comply create additional work for everyone.

Fruchter went on to highlight that submitting incomplete data results in a loss of time and resources for everyone, given that the IGB is a small state firm.

So far, the IGB has rejected Haven Gaming’s application for Danville earlier this year. In July, HavenGaming withdrew its application, and the Wilmot family is now the main stakeholder.

An email from Southland

According to a column in the Chicago Tribune, State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, and Kristi DeLaurentiis, the executive director of the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association, called on the IGB to expedite their process in August.

DeLuca and DeLaurentiis penned, “We gently bring to your attention that the license for this southern residence is notably overdue. Postponing a decision is equivalent to denying a choice.”

DeLuca also believes that a significant pause could follow Oct. 28.

They continued by stating that COVID-19 cannot serve as an excuse for silence. “The deadline, as outlined in the law, is rapidly approaching. The future of nearly a million residents is in your control,” they added.

DeLuca and DeLaurentiis asserted that their regions are facing financial difficulties due to COVID-19. They believe a casino might stimulate job growth and increase tax revenue.

The letter was written before Fruchter made comments during the board meeting. In response, Fruchter might have highlighted that the team has been continuously addressing a range of issues throughout the pandemic.

Blackjack candidates in Illinois

The following is a comprehensive list of current Blackjack candidates in Illinois, as per the IGB website:

Rockford person 815 Enjoyment, LLC( Hard Rock Casino )
• Waukegan has applied for CDI – RSG Waukegan, LLC (also known as Rivers Waukegan Casino).
• Full House Resorts, Inc., a student from Waukegan.
• Candidate for Lakeside Casino LLC (North Point Casino) from Waukegan
• Matteson is running for a position at South Suburban Development LLC.
• Lynwood is running for a position at Southland Ho-Chunk Entertainment, LLC.
• Applicant from Calumet City: Southland LIVE, LLC (Southland Live Casino).
• Applicant for Williamson County, Walker & rsquo’s Bluff Casino Resort, LLC
• Wind Creek IL LLC, an applicant from Homewood / East Hazel Crest

Each game on that list can be used to count down the time until the next IGB conference on October 28.