The Horseshoe Hammond Casino is less than 17 miles from downtown Chicago. We’re also only including actual, Vegas-style casinos, with slots, table games, restaurants, entertainment venues, etc. (WLS) - Illinois' oldest horse racing track is now poised to become the first track to have a casino. On Thursday, Hawthorne Race Course cleared a critical hurdle with the Illinois. Hawthorne Race Course is headed to the starting gate with the state’s first racino after getting preliminary approval to build a casino at its horse track in west suburban Stickney. CHICAGO (Reuters) - A major gambling expansion in Illinois that will give Chicago its first casino, allow betting on sports and raise money for a massive infrastructure program won final approval.

1. Casino Approved For Chicago Cubs
2. Casino Approved For Chicago
3. Casino Approved For Chicago Electric

Casino Approved For Chicago Cubs

Hawthorne Race Course is headed to the starting gate with the state’s first racino after getting preliminary approval to build a casino at its horse track in west suburban Stickney.

The Illinois Gaming Board voted unanimously Thursday that Hawthorne was “suitable” to add slot machines, table games and sports betting at the racetrack, pending final approval.

“It’s really hard to put into context what this means for the very hardworking people of the Illinois racing industry,” Tim Carey, president and CEO of family-owned Hawthorne, said in a news release.

In addition to casino games, Hawthorne is planning to launch an on-site and mobile sports book in partnership with PointsBet. The gaming board approved a master sports wagering license for Hawthorne Thursday.

Hawthorne’s redevelopment plans include new dining options, a multilevel parking garage and upgraded horse race wagering facilities. Construction is set to begin in September, with plans to open the casino in late 2021.

The state’s three horse racing tracks were given the option to add casinos under a sweeping gambling expansion bill approved last year. Fairmount Park in downstate Collinsville also applied for a casino license but has yet to receive approval, gaming board spokesman Joe Miller said Friday.

Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights did not apply for the casino license.

While Hawthorne is planning to expand with a casino, Arlington owner Churchill Downs is looking at pulling up stakes entirely and relocating the track from its longtime northwest suburban home.

During an earnings call Thursday, Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen said that long term, “the economics don’t work” for the racetrack at its current location.

“That land will have a higher and better purpose for something else at some point,” Carstanjen said. “Long term, that land gets sold, and that license will need to move if it’s going to continue.”

Churchill Downs, which acquired a 61% stake in Rivers Casino in Des Plaines last year, has also abandoned plans to add a sports book at Arlington. The company filed a request Thursday with the gaming board to withdraw its application for a sports wagering license at Arlington, Miller said.

Louisville, Kentucky-based Churchill Downs bought Arlington in 2000. The historic racetrack, which opened in 1927, was destroyed by fire in 1985 and rebuilt at a cost of $200 million.

Founded in 1891, Hawthorne is the oldest pari-mutuel horse racing track in Illinois.

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NEW RUSH STREET GAMING CASINO APPROVED BY VOTERS IN PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA
Rivers Casino Portsmouth will launch Victory Boulevard Entertainment District

Portsmouth, VA, & Chicago, IL—November 4, 2020—A great new place to work and play is coming to Portsmouth, Virginia. Chicago-based Rush Street Gaming will develop and operate the latest addition to its growing portfolio of gaming and entertainment venues—Rivers Casino Portsmouth.

On Nov. 3, Portsmouth voters greenlighted Rush Street’s $300 million casino project planned for Victory Boulevard. Rivers Casino Portsmouth will bring 1,300 permanent jobs and 1,400 temporary construction jobs to the currently vacant site.

As the anchor of Portsmouth’s up-and-coming Entertainment District, the new Rivers Casino includes plans for a hotel, indoor and outdoor concert venues, conference space, multiple restaurants and more. Rivers Casino’s gaming floor will feature a wide variety of slots, table games, a poker room, and a state-of-the-art BetRivers Sportsbook.

“This is a great day for Portsmouth,” said Portsmouth Mayor John Rowe. “The Portsmouth voters have said yes to a new economic opportunity – an opportunity that will not only create great new jobs, but also generate more than $16 million in new annual tax revenues for our community. With Rush Street Gaming, Portsmouth has secured an excellent developer and operator of world-class destination casinos, with a track record of keeping promises, community support, and job creation. We’ve chosen our partner very well.”

Rivers Casino Portsmouth’s estimated annual payroll will be $62 million with a Portsmouth First commitment to build a diverse workforce and to hire locally. Without exception, all Rush Street casinos have been voted a “Top Workplace” by their Team Members.

In July 2020, The Virginia Lottery Board pre-certified Rush Street Gaming to operate a casino in Virginia. With the referendum now approved by residents, application for licensing is the next step. Rush Street anticipates opening within two years of receiving a gaming license from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

“We thank the residents of Portsmouth, the City of Portsmouth, and the Portsmouth Economic Development team for their support,” said Neil Bluhm, chairman of Rush Street Gaming. “We’re eager to get construction underway, so this strong economic engine for the Commonwealth and the local community can start producing benefits.”

Rush Street Gaming is one of the fastest-growing gaming and entertainment companies in America. Through its affiliates, Rush Street owns and operates market-leading casinos in Des Plaines, Illinois (Chicago area); Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Schenectady, New York. Rush Street and its affiliates also developed the Fallsview Casino & Resort in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in close partnership with the Province; and Riverwalk Casino & Resort in Vicksburg, Mississippi, which was acquired by Churchill Downs in 2012.

Rivers Casino and Rush Street Gaming have a long and proud record of diversity and inclusion throughout all its business operations nationwide. Rivers Casino Portsmouth will utilize minority, women and veteran-owned small businesses in every phase of its construction and operation.

Casino Approved For Chicago

Rivers Casino Portsmouth will solicit local minority participation for 5% of the equity contribution or $5 million, whichever is greater, from minority-owned businesses or private investors who are minorities and, as required by securities laws, are accredited investors.

Casino Approved For Chicago Electric

To avoid conflicts of interest, public-sector employees, elected officials at any/all levels of government, their spouses, dependents, and immediate family members are ineligible to participate as investors or owners.

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About Rush Street Gaming: Founded by Neil Bluhm and Greg Carlin, Rush Street Gaming and its affiliates have developed and operate successful casinos in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Des Plaines, IL (Chicago area) and Schenectady, NY. By placing an emphasis on superior design and outstanding customer service, Rush Street Gaming has become one of the leading casino developers in the United States. Existing casinos generate over $1 billion in annual gaming revenues, and all Rush Street Gaming casinos have been voted a “Best Place to Work” or “Top Workplace” by their team members.

Media Contacts:

Jack Horner
For Rush Street Gaming
jack@hornercom.com
412.600.2295

Robert D. Moore
Portsmouth Economic Development Director
Robert.moore@portsmouthva.gov
757.477.3458