Operator News
US – Waukegan opens 120 day window to find casino operator
By Phil - 8 July 2019
The City of Waukegan will name its chosen operator for a casino, one of six new casinos to be launched in Illinois as part of a widespread gambling expansion, within just 120 days.
The city has now officially invited qualified Project Teams to submit proposals for the development of a casino and associated amenities in accordance with the Illinois Gaming Act.
The Act was recently amended to allow for a license to be issued to a Riverboat Casino within the corporate limits of the City of Waukegan. The Act further provides for only a 120-day window from the time of the Governor’s signature on the legislation for developers to submit a full application to the Illinois Gaming Board after the City issues a letter of support and has an agreement with a Project Team.
Given these requirements, the City said it was seeking ‘to maximise the value of the gaming license and assure long-term viability of the casino while moving quickly through the statutory vetting process.’
Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham said the tender signals ‘another step’ toward redevelopment for the city adding it would be ‘a very transparent and open process’ with ‘a lot of eyes on Waukegan in the coming months.’
He expects to receive 10 to 12 submissions in total. Applicants for Waukegan will have until July 22 to submit their concepts. They have been asked to detail and quantify the benefits their casino will bring to the city of Waukegan as well as to Lake County, North Chicago and Park City, all of whom will receive a percentage of the revenue.
The City plans to submit between two and four developer bluepints to the Illinois Gaming Board. Whilst the Chicago casino will be allowed 4,000 gaming positions, all the others will be allowed 2,000. New casinos will also be allowed in Chicago, Rockford, the South Suburbs, Williamson County (Walker’s Bluff), and Danville.
