Illinois Gaming Board Chops South Suburban Casino Applicant List In Half, 2 Bids Remain

Two South Suburban casino candidates were selected by the Illinois Gaming Board( IGB ).

The final two proposals came from South Suburban Matteson and Wind Creek LLC Homewood East Hazel Crest. During the IGB meeting on Wednesday, the committee cast their votes on Southland LIVE LLC and Southho-Chunk Entertainment LLC Lynwood.

The vote on Wednesday was eagerly awaited. Back in October 2019, three out of four teams had applied for a game license. Despite the slow progress of the procedure, it is finally starting to pick up speed.

Both candidates have the opportunity to present their cases to the committee on October 28, if they wish. However, giving a lecture is not mandatory.

We anticipate a final decision from the IGB for the south suburban and Waukegan casinos by mid-January. Additionally, two applicants are still in the running for the Waukegan casino license.

However, on Wednesday, the committee discussed issues related to the southern suburbs. Here’s what we know about the other two applicants.

Then there were two individuals for casinos in South Suburban.

Either South Suburban Matteson or Wind Creek Homewood East Hazel Crest will receive the southern residential permit.

Below is a concise analysis and processing of each bid:

Casino Matteson in South Suburban

Time of program: Aug. 26, 2020
• As a devotee of Choctaw Nation
• Is there going to be a temporary casino? Indeed, there will be.
• The former LincolnMall, located in Matteson near Interstates 57 and 30, is now a permanent establishment.
• The key features comprise a hotel, an indoor spa and pool, indoor golf, a multi-purpose event center, fine dining, and a display of diverse cultural heritage.

The job would create 609 permanent positions. The entertainment space could be 123,000 square feet, accommodating 1,300 slots and 42 table games.

Unlike Wind Creek, we are unsure of the cost to construct a betting.

East Hazel Crest / Wind Creek Casino Homewood

Time of program: Oct. 25, 2019.
• As an enthusiast of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
• Is there going to be a temporary casino? No.
• Area Continuity: At the junction of Interstates 80 and 294, near East Hazel Crest and Homewood properties.
• Development costs of $440 million
• Additional amenities feature a sky club, dining establishments, bars, and four-diamond hotels.

The Wind Creek job intends to establish a casino and we are aware that it would create 800 permanent jobs.

Nonetheless, being 69,190 square feet in gambling area, it would be smaller than the Matteson game. It would house 56 board games and 1,350 gaming machines.

Homewood / East Hazel Crest is located about six miles northeast of Matteson.

Important game timeframe in Chicago is approaching

Proposals for the Chicago casino license are requested to be submitted by Friday, October 29.

The deadline was initially set for August, however, Mayor Lori Lightfoot extended it to provide more time for bidders to evaluate the project. It seems that the license did not attract much interest, as several major gaming companies have indicated they will not participate.

We know that Rush Street Gaming is interested in the registration. Recently, they even withdrew their offer to purchase the Waukegan game certificate.

Another gaming heavyweight may potentially be in the fray. Jim Allen, the chairman of Hard Rock, has expressed that the company is “reevaluating the opportunity.” Although this doesn’t come across as the most confident stance, it is certainly more hopeful compared to remarks made by other company CEOs.

Over two decades after Illinois legalized gambling expansion, we are starting to observe some noticeable development.