Illinois Gaming Board Met March 10.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
The Illinois Gaming Board (“Board”) convened for a Regular Meeting at approximately 9:00 A.M. In accordance with Section 12 of the March 5, 2021 Disaster Proclamation issued by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, in-person attendance of more than ten people at the regular meeting location was not feasible; therefore the Board held the meeting through electronic means. The meeting was accessible on the morning of March 10, 2021 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 and Member Ruben Ramirez. Three members of the Board being present, a quorum was satisfied.
At approximately 9:01 A.M., Member Garcia moved that the Board go into closed session pursuant to Section 2(c), paragraphs (1), (4), (11), (21) and (36) of the Open Meetings Act and Section 6(d) of the Illinois Gambling Act to discuss items on the closed session agenda relating to the review of closed session minutes of the Special Board Meeting held on Thursday, February 4, 2020, personnel matters, evidence received per the Board’s adjudicatory authority, discussion of confidential information, and pending litigation. Member Ramirez seconded the motion. The Board approved the motion unanimously by voice vote. Thereafter, the Board held its closed session meeting through electronic means, the minutes of which are separately recorded. The Board’s closed session meeting was not accessible via livestream at https://multimedia.illinois.gov/igb/igb-live.html.
At approximately 10:03 A.M., the Board reconvened its Regular Meeting of Wednesday, March 10, 2021 pursuant to the Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/1 et seq. The meeting was held through electronic means and was accessible via livestream at: https://multimedia.illinois.gov/igb/igb-live.html.
Another roll call was taken. The following Board members were present: Chairman Charles Schmadeke, Member Anthony Garcia and Member Ruben Ramirez. Three 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 Thursday, December 17, 2020. The Board later corrected their initial vote to reflect their unanimous approval of the open session minutes from its Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, January 27, 2021.
The Board unanimously approved the open session minutes from its Special Meeting held on Thursday, February 4, 2021.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Administrator Fruchter began his report by acknowledging the anniversary of the IGB’s decisions to cancel its March 2020 meeting and shut down gaming operations last year. The IGB’s priority then was the health and safety of all involved in Illinois gaming and that remains true today. The Administrator urged everyone to continue maintaining appropriate COVID protocols and to remain vigilant.
The Administrator provided an update on sports wagering revenues for January 2021 and reminded the audience that the data is made available on the IGB’s website. He noted that sports wagering generated approximately 7.1 million dollars in state tax revenue. With March being NCAA basketball tournament month, he reminded everyone that the Sports Wagering Act prohibits wagering on any Illinois collegiate team.
With respect to video gaming, the Administrator noted that January 2021was only a partial period of operations given the fact that VGTs were not live for a portion of the month. With that said, Administrator Fruchter stated that VGTs generated tax revenue of $27,464,946, of which $23,425,985 went to the State and $4,038,961 went to local municipalities. The Administrator also stated that 38,351 VGTs are operating in 7,457 locations. 32,711 of those VGTs are operating with software allowing for $4 maximum bets. 3,837 of the locations currently have 6 or more VGTs in place. He noted that the IGB’s new inducement rule recently became effective and that he hopes the new rule will provide the industry needed clarity.
The Administrator provided an update on casino revenues for January 2021. Casinos generated $2,958,769 in tax revenue for the State and an additional $1,443,864 for local municipalities during the month. Further, Illinois’ total January 2021 gaming tax revenue which includes VGTs, casinos and sports wagering generated $33,484,754 for the State and $5,961,877 for the local municipalities.
PUBLIC COMMENTARY
The Board entertained comments from Dr. Hannah Carliner – Health Resources in Action. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
• Proposed Rule – Amendment to 1800.320(b) – Format for Exceptions
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 the proposed amendment to Rule 1800.320(b) for Video Gaming.
CASINO
Request to Amend Owners License Application
• Full House Resorts, Inc. d/b/a American Place
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to grant Full House Resorts, Inc. d/b/a American Place’s request to amend its Owners license application.
Final Consideration of Owners License Renewal
• Southern Illinois Riverboat/Casino Cruises, LLC d/b/a Harrah’s Metropolis Casino
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to renew Southern Illinois Riverboat/Casino Cruises, LLC d/b/a Harrah’s Metropolis Casino’s Owners license for a period of four years, retroactive to February 2021 and expiring in February 2025, and to find the following business entities and individuals suitable as key persons thereof:
1. Caesars Entertainment, Inc.
2. Caesars Growth Partners, LLC
3. Caesars Holdings, Inc.
4. Caesars Resort Collection, LLC
5. CEOC, LLC
6. Players Holding, LLC
7. Players International, LLC
8. Herman Campuzano
9. Anthony Carano
10. Gary Carano
11. Eric Golebiewski
12. Paul Kennedy
13. Edmund Quatmann, Jr.
14. Thomas Reeg
15. William Reeg
16. Nicole Solaita
17. Karl Stingily III
18. Cydnel Trias
19. James Venuti
20. Bret Yunker
SUPPLIER LICENSEE ITEMS
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator renewed the Casino Supplier license of The United States Playing Card Company for a period of four years, retroactive to February 2021 and expiring in February 2025.
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 34 Level 2 and 35 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 February 2020 and March 2020 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
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator granted Sports Wagering Occupational Level 1 licenses to Rachael C. Gordon – Revenue Audit Controller/Audit Manager for Midwest Gaming & Entertainment, LLC d/b/a Rivers Casino-Des Plaines and John G. Ibarguen – Vice President of Finance for HC Joliet, LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Joliet.
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 128 individual applicants.
VIDEO GAMING
TERMINAL OPERATOR LICENSEE ITEMS
Recommended Denial Rescission
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to rescind the denial of terminal operator applicant Lakeview Gaming, LLC and allow the applicant to amend and update its application.
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 March 2022:
1. Accel Entertainment Gaming, LLC
2. Arkadian Gaming, LLC
3. Ashiq Gaming, LLC d/b/a Blackjack Gaming
4. Awesome Hand Services, LLC
5. B&B Amusement of Illinois, LLC
6. Compact Disc Amusements, Limited
7. Dragonfly Gaming, Inc.
8. Eureka Entertainment, LLC d/b/a Universal Gaming Group
9. Fair Share Gaming, LLC
10. Laurel Gaming, LLC
11. Leisure Time Gaming & Amusements, Inc.
12. Mississippi Gaming and Amusements, LLC
13. WAMI Gaming, LLC
Furthermore, the Administrator renewed the following Video Gaming Terminal Operator licenses for a period of one year, retroactive to February 2021 and expiring in February 2022:
1. American Video Gaming, LLC
2. Awesome Hand Services, LLC
3. Lattner Entertainment Group Illinois, LLC
4. Renville Gaming, LLC
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 Patriot Gaming & Electronics, Inc. for a period of one year, retroactive to February 2021 and expiring in February 2022.
TECHNICIANS & TERMINAL HANDLERS
Initial Licenses – Approval and Denials
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 69 Terminal Handler licenses for a period of one year, expiring in March 2022, subject to licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before April 30, 2021.
VG Technicians and Terminal Handler License 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 February and March 2020, and who have properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Video Gaming Act and the Board’s Rules.
VIDEO GAMING ESTABLISHMENT APPLICATIONS
Initial Licenses - Approvals & Denials
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 98 Video Gaming Establishment License applications for a period of one year, expiring in March 2022, subject to licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before April 30, 2021, and issue Notices of Denial to the following applicants:
1. BACCI CAFÉ & PIZZERIA OF MELROSE PARK, INC. d/b/a BACCI CAFÉ & PIZZERIA OF MELROSE PARK
2. JOE DONUT BELLE’S INC. d/b/a JOE DONUT BELLE’S
3. SIX STARS QUICK STOP, INC. d/b/a SIX STARS QUICK STOP, INC.
Recommended Denial Rescission
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to rescind the denial of Evolution River Street, Inc. d/b/a Bar Evolution and allow applicant to amend and update its application.
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 February 2020 or March 2020 and who have properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Video Gaming Act and the Board’s Rules.
Location Establishment License Non-Renewals
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to deny the renewal of SPRING HILL ENTERTAINMENT INC. d/b/a Spring Hill Entertainment INC.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to deny the renewal of Hoffman House of East Rockford, Inc. d/b/a Firehouse Pub.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to deny the renewal of LITTLE VEGAS GAMING, LLC d/b/a Little Vegas.
LITIGATION/SETTLEMENTS
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to adopt the Administrative Law Judge’s recommendation to enter a default judgment against Lacey’s Place LLC Series – Belvidere, Clinton, DeKalb, River Grove, and Crestwood, case number 18 GB 058.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to adopt the Administrative Law Judge’s recommendation to finalize the Board’s initial denial of Drewskie’s, LLC, case number 19 GB 046.
ADJOURN
The Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
https://www.igb.illinois.gov/FilesBoardMeeting/20210310OpenMeetingMinutes.pdf
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