Illinois Gaming Board met Dec. 17
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Illinois Gaming Board (“Board”) convened for a Regular Meeting at approximately 10:00 A.M. In accordance with Section 12 of the December 11, 2020 Disaster Proclamation issued by Governor JB Pritzker, in-person attendance of more than fifty people at the regular meeting location was not feasible; therefore the Board held the meeting through electronic means. The meeting was accessible via livestream at: https://multimedia.illinois.gov/igb/igb-live.html.
A roll call was taken. The following Board members were present: Chairman Charles Schmadeke, Member Anthony Garcia, Member Dionne Hayden and Member Ruben Ramirez. Four members of the Board being present, a quorum was satisfied.
APPROVAL OF OPEN SESSION MINUTES
The Board unanimously approved the open session minutes from its Regular Meeting held on Tuesday, November 17, 2020.
ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
Administrator Fruchter began his report by acknowledging that virtually all forms of gaming in Illinois, except online sports wagering, are suspended as part of the COVID-19 mitigation protocols. He noted that the Board understands the impact the suspension is having on the lives of those throughout the State but nevertheless reminded everyone to be vigilant in following the protocols because now is not the time to be lax in behavior. The Administrator pointed out that despite the suspension of gaming, the IGB continues to enroll individuals into the IGB’s Self Exclusion Program and he provided details about the program including how to contact the program’s coordinator.
The Administrator discussed the different types of sports wagering data reports that are available for viewing on the IGB’s website and provided a brief explanation on how to interpret those reports. He noted that sports wagering is off to a good start in Illinois and that the IGB looks forward to its continued growth. Administrator Fruchter mentioned that the IGB’s work on new casino Owners license applications remains underway and noted the agency’s procurement efforts to obtain the services of an investment banker to help with the competitive bidding process.
Finally, The Administrator announced that the IGB’s next Board meeting will be on January 27, 2021 In addition, he noted the following tentative meeting dates for the remainder of 2021: March 10, April 21, June 9, July 14, September 14, October 20 and December 8.
PUBLIC COMMENTARY
The Board entertained comments from Anita Bedell, Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems and Dr. Sandra Bury, Mayor of Village of Oak Lawn.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
• Proposed Video Gaming Rule 1800.321 (Sales Agents and Procuring Use Agreements)
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve for submission to the Index Department of the Secretary of State on First Notice proposed permanent Rule 1800.321 for Video Gaming.
CASINO
Level 1 License Applications
• Kyle Wainscott – Sportsbook Manager, Midwest Gaming & Entertainment, LLC d/b/aRivers Casino – Des Plaines
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve Kyle W. Wainscott as a Level 1 Occupational Licensee at Rivers Casino – Des Plaines.
• Shawn R. Harris – Vice President of Slots, Midwest Gaming & Entertainment, LLC d/b/a Rivers Casino – Des Plaines
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve Shawn R. Harris as a Level 1 Occupational Licensee at Rivers Casino – Des Plaines.
Key Person Approvals
• Karin Jane Brugler – Regional Director of Internal Audit/Interim Chief Audit Executive for Caesar’s Entertainment, Inc., indirect owner of licensee Elgin Riverboat Resort d/b/a Grand Victoria Casino
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to find Karin Jane Brugler suitable as a key person of Elgin Riverboat Resort d/b/a Grand Victoria Casino.
• Christina Marie Mowry – Regional Internal Audit Manager for Caesar’s Entertainment, Inc., indirect owner of licensee Elgin Riverboat Resort d/b/a Grand Victoria Casino
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to find Christina Marie Mowry suitable as a key person of Elgin Riverboat Resort d/b/a Grand Victoria Casino.
• David A. Handler – Chairman of the Board of Penn National Gaming, Inc., parent corporation of Owners licensees HC Joliet, LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Joliet, HC Aurora, LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Aurora, and Alton Casino, LLC d/b/a Argosy Casino Alton
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to find David A. Handler suitable as a key person of HC Joliet, LLC, HC Aurora, LLC, and Alton Casino LLC.
• Rafael R. Verde – Senior Vice President of Regional Operations for Penn National Gaming, Inc., parent corporation of Owners licensees HC Joliet, LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Joliet and HC Aurora, LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Aurora
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to find Rafael R. Verde suitable as a key person of HC Joliet, LLC and HC Aurora, LLC.
• Nicole Lee Solaita – Vice President of Internal Audit for Caesars Entertainment, Inc., indirect owner of Des Plaines Development Limited Partnership d/b/a Harrah’s Joliet Casino & Hotel and Southern Illinois Riverboat/Casinos Cruises LLC d/b/a Harrah’s Metropolis Casino &Hotel
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to find Nicole Lee Solaita suitable as a key person of Harrah’s Joliet and Harrah’s Metropolis.
OCCUPATIONAL LICENSEE ITEMS
Level 2 and Level 3 License Applications – Approvals and Denials:
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 6 Level 2 and 5 Level 3 occupational license applicants.
Occupational License Renewals by the Administrator
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator renewed the Level 1, 2, and 3 licenses of individuals who were licensed or renewed in December 2019 and who have properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Illinois Gambling Act and the Board’s Rules.
SPORTS WAGERING
SPORTS WAGERING OCCUPATIONAL LICENSEE ITEMS
Level 1 License Applications – Approvals by the Administrator
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator granted Level 1 Sports Wagering Occupational licenses to Shawn R. Harris, Vice President of Slots, and Kyle W. Wainscott, Sportsbook Manager, in connection with the sports wagering operations at Midwest Gaming & Entertainment, LLC d/b/a Rivers Casino – Des Plaines
Level 2 and Level 3 License Applications – Approvals
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve the Level 2 sports wagering occupational licenses of 13 individual applicants.
VIDEO GAMING
MANUFACTURER, DISTRIBUTOR & SUPPLIER LICENSEE ITEMS
License Renewals
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator renewed the Video Gaming Supplier license of Illinois Rewards, Inc. d/b/a Rewards Suite for a period of one year, expiring in December 2021.
TERMINAL OPERATOR LICENSEE ITEMS
License Renewals
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator renewed the following Video Gaming Terminal Operator licenses for a period of one year, expiring in December 2021:
1. Jackpot Video Gaming, Inc.
2. Sunrise Gaming, LLC d/b/a Better Gaming Group
3. 777 Gaming, LLC
4. Springfield Gaming, LLC
5. LS Gaming LLC
TECHNICIANS & TERMINAL HANDLERS
Initial Licenses – Approval and Denials
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 13 Terminal Handler licenses, subject to licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before January 31, 2021, and further to issue Notices of Denial to the following applicants.
1. Joseph G. Marbach
2. John Timothy Ruggles
VG Terminal Handler Denials – statutorily ineligible
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator denied the Video Gaming Handler Application of Derrick L. Victorian as statutorily ineligible.
License Renewals and Non-Renewals
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator renewed the licenses of Technicians and Terminal Handlers who were licensed or renewed in December 2019, and who have properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Video Gaming Act and the Board’s Rules.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to issue a Notice of Non-Renewal to Dustin James Debrey.
VIDEO GAMING ESTABLISHMENT APPLICATIONS
Initial Licenses - Approvals & Denials
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 59 Video Gaming Establishment License applications for a period of one year, expiring in December 2021, subject to licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before January 31, 2020, and issue Notices of Denial to the following applicants:
1. CARVER’S BBQ, INC. d/b/a CARVER’S BBQ, INC.
2. Exodus Saloon LLC d/b/a Exodus Saloon LLC
3. Forks & Sticks, Inc. d/b/a Seven
4. Hiram Lewis d/b/a Hiram’s
5. JBH PETROLEUM & FOODMART INC. d/b/a JBH KNOXVILLE
6. KARMATIC LLC d/b/a Pats Sports Bar and Grill
7. Solera Wines, Inc. d/b/a Solera Wines
8. West Town Fuel Inc. d/b/a West Town Fuel Inc.
9. Winnie’s Café, Inc. d/b/a Winnie’s Cafe
Statutorily Ineligible Denials
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020 to deny applications where, after staff’s investigation, a determination was made that the applicant is prohibited by statute or rule from holding the applied-for license, the Administrator denied the Video Gaming Establishment Applications of the following applicants:
1. MULTANI MART LLC d/b/a ALEXIS MART
2. PAULINA’S CAFÉ & DELI, INC. d/b/a PAULINAS CAFÉ & DELIINC.
3. The Store Unlimited, LLC d/b/a The Store Unlimited
Location Establishment License Renewals
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator renewed the Video Gaming Location Establishment licenses that were licensed or renewed in December 2019 and who have properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Video Gaming Act and the Board’s Rules.
REQUESTS FOR HEARING
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to rescind its July 2020 denial, grant 1948 Concepts LLC d/b/a 18 West Bar & Grill a Video Gaming Location Establishment license, and deny the request for hearing as moot.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to rescind its November 2020 denial, grant Green Point Ventures, Inc. d/b/a Mobil a Video Gaming Location Establishment license, and deny the request for hearing as moot.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to rescind its September 2020 denial, grant SBBL, LLC d/b/a Brauer House a Video Gaming Location Establishment license, and deny the request for hearing as moot.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to deny the request for hearing made by Bigfoot Gaming, LLC d/b/a Big Foot Gaming
ADJOURN
The Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
https://www.igb.illinois.gov/FilesBoardMeeting/20201217OpenMeetingMinutes.pdf
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