Illinois State Representative Joe Sosnowski has introduced a new legislative proposal that could reshape the state’s casino sector by giving underperforming venues more flexibility. This is at least according to one outlet where the bill would help these floundering properties to move to more promising locations. The bill, House Bill 4070, is designed to support the long-term sustainability of Illinois’ gaming industry and maximize its economic impact across the state. Moreover, the legislation would authorize the three lowest-earning casinos in Illinois to apply for relocation, allowing them to bid for a license in communities better suited to support gaming operations. The Illinois Gaming Board would be responsible for evaluating adjusted gross receipts across all casinos to determine which establishments qualify for the option to move.
In this article, SBS will be going over the latest gaming news coming from Illinois along with some additional notes and thoughts coming from the state and beyond.
Illinois legalized casino gambling in 1990, per the same article. Since then, the industry has grown to encompass 17 casinos, nearly 9,000 licensed video gaming locations, and 14 approved sportsbooks. According to the American Gaming Association, the sector supporters nearly 30,000 jobs across the state and generated nearly $2 billion in tax revenue in 2024 alone. Sosnowski believes that relocating struggling casinos could significantly increase employment and tax revenue. “If we have 100 jobs in an underperforming casino location and we can shift those to an overperforming location, you know, we could triple the number of jobs and people that are employed,” he said.
“(The bill) doesn’t mandate it, but it allows for those casino operators to put in a request and then bid out for a new location,” Sosnowski said. “It has been clear for years that there’s definitely a handful of casinos that do better than ours.”
Under the proposal, potential host communities would be allowed to submit proposals to the Illinois Gaming Board for authorization to receive a relocated casino license. According to the same article, the move is expected to attract interest from municipalities aiming to bolster their local economies with new job opportunities and revenue streams.
In cities like Freeport, the article notes, leaders see the bill as a potential boost to community development. “We will invite anybody who is willing to look into Freeport to come and see what they can do in terms of offering our residents those kinds of employment opportunities,” a local official was quoted as saying. Communities that lose a casino under the bill would not be left empty-handed. Sosnowski noted that affected towns would receive compensation equal to double their current share of casino receipts, recognizing the importance of gaming revenue to local government budgets. “Not only will the prior location receive its funds,” he said. “But a new location is more than likely going to have a lot more revenue sharing available for local governments.”
In other updates from the state, Illinois gamblers will have another casino option in a couple of months when the new Hollywood Casino opens in the Chicago suburb of Joliet. Per another report, the $185 million property is replacing the current Hollywood Casino, which opened in 1992 in the same city. However, the new property will house 1,000 slot machines and 43 live table games in the brick-and-mortar facility. Compared to other states, Illinois has a fairly robust gambling industry. Lawmakers legalized online and retail sports betting, but lawmakers have not made a decision on Illinois casinos, at least as of this article’s writing.
According to owner Penn Entertainment, the property will open on August 11th. The new venue will employ about 600 workers, about 200 more than the current casino. “The countdown to the opening of our newest casino begins today,” Penn CEO and President Jay Snowden said in the article. “The move from our existing riverboat facility significantly improves our offerings in the highly attractive Chicagoland market, and both our existing customers and new guests will be able to enjoy premier gaming, dining, and entertainment at this exceptionally accessible new location.”
In addition to the slots and table games, the new Hollywood will include a baccarat room, an ESPN Bet sportsbook, and a 10,000 square-foot event center. However, the casino will disappoint poker players since there are no plans for a poker room. The venue will anchor the Rock Run collection, a new commercial and residential development that offers a variety of amenities, as well as multi-family housing.
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About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
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