After Year’s Wait, No New Illinois Casino Licenses Handed Out At Special IGB Meeting

The timeframe for four fresh Illinois casino license decisions to be issued on October 28, 2020, has passed. At Thursday’s special Illinois Gaming Board ( IGB ) meeting, none were distributed.

Alternatively, the details of their passport applications can be changed by eight entrants. These entrants include:

Hard Rock Casino Rockford( Rockford License ) 815 Entertainment, LLC
• CDI-RSG Waukegan, LLC doing business as Rivers Waukegan Casino (Waukegan License)
• Full House Resorts, Inc., American Place (Waukegan License)
• Lakeside Casino, LLC, doing business under the North Point Casino Waukegan License.
• Southland LIVE, LLC, operating under the name South Suburban License.
• Enrollment for South Suburban Development, LLC
• Bluff Casino Resort, LLC (Licensed in Williamson County) Walker & rsquo.
• Wind Creek, LLC: South Suburban License

A license in Danville is also available, but Haven Gaming withdrew its application in July. The Wilmot family currently has the principal interest but still needs to submit its documents to the IGB.

The law stipulates that the IGB is granted a period to review game applications upon receipt. But, if the IGB is unable to meet the specified timeline, it has the option to either convene a special public meeting or seek a written extension.

On October 27, Marcus Fruchter, the superintendent of the IGB, announced that the board had written to provide an explanation for the delay in the selection process of pending candidates.

Furthermore, he mentioned that candidates from Rockford, Williamson County, Waukegan, and South Suburban could reasonably expect a decision within six months, with a new deadline set for the end of April 2021.

The 2019 Illinois Gambling Act approved the establishment of six new casinos in Illinois. Progress on the sixth one, to be located in Chicago, is slower than the others.

Casino candidates are growing increasingly frustrated before the IGB conference.

Prior to the special meeting, there were numerous complaints about aspirants and dissatisfaction regarding the cumbersome procedure.

In August, a letter was written to the IGB urging them to expedite the process. The letter was from State Rep. Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights, and Kristi DeLaurentiis, the executive director of the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association.

DeLuca and DeLaurentiis penned, “We would like to respectfully remind you that the license for this southern residence is significantly overdue. Postponing a decision is essentially denying a choice.” They insinuated that the COVID-19 pandemic is not a valid reason for avoiding action. They also mentioned, “The deadline for the law is approaching. It’s in your hands to determine the fate of almost a million people.”

During a board meeting in September, Fruchter appeared to once again place blame on the applicants by stating:

When applicants and current licensees do not respond promptly and completely, providing answers, documents, disclosures, or responses to any other board requests, it further complicates the already challenging work of the staff. While most statements are timely and accurate, those who fail to comply create difficulties for everyone else.

Illinois has ten games that are active.

Currently, Illinois has 10 games that are open. These include:

• Alton Argosy Casino
• At Casino Queen, DraftKings
• Elgin’s Grand Victoria Casino
• Harrah’s Joliet
• Harrah’s Metropolis
• Aurora Hollywood Casino
• Hollywood Casino in Joliet
• Jumer’s Casino and Hotel
• Game line a dice
• Casino Rivers

Eventually, that listing will grow. However, key stakeholders are not satisfied with the initial implementation of the 2019 bill.