Illinois Gaming Board met Nov. 18.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Illinois Gaming Board convened for a Regular Meeting beginning at 9:00 A.M. On November 12, 2021, Governor JB Pritzker issued a statewide disaster proclamation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Open Meetings Act, the Board determined it was not practical or prudent, nor was it feasible, to hold an in person meeting due to the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic. Therefore, the Board held the meeting through electronic means. The meeting was accessible on the morning of November 18, 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 Marc Bell and Member Dionne Hayden. Three members of the Board being present, a quorum was satisfied.
At approximately 9:01 A.M., Member Hayden moved that the Board go into closed session pursuant to Section 2(c), paragraphs (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 evidence received per the Board’s adjudicatory authority, pending litigation, the review of closed session minutes of the Board Meetings held October 13, 2021, October 20, 2021 and October 28, 2021 and to deliberate on decisions of the Illinois Gaming Board in which there is discussed personal, commercial, financial, or other information obtained from any source that is privileged, proprietary, confidential, or a trade secret; or information specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or State law. Member Bell 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 10:00 A.M., the Board reconvened its Special Meeting of Thursday November 18, 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 Marc Bell and Member Dionne Hayden. Three members of the Board being present, a quorum was satisfied.
APPROVAL OF OPEN SESSION MINUTES
The Board voted unanimously to approve the open session minutes from its meetings held on October 13, 2021, October 20, 2021 and October 28, 2021.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
None.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Administrator Fruchter began his report by announcing the opening of the Hard Rock Casino Rockford’s temporary casino facility on November 10, 2021. This was the first new casino to open in Illinois in over a decade. He proceeded to thank the many IGB staff that made the opening of the new casino possible. The Administrator then provided a recap of the competitive selection process related to the Owners licenses for the casinos to be located in Waukegan and South Suburban Cook County. The Administrator then noted that due to a recent lawsuit filed by representatives of Waukegan Potawatomi Casino, LLC and a request for a temporary restraining order, the Illinois Gaming Board would not be proceeding with the selection of the final applicant for the Waukegan Owners license at the November meeting as indicated on the agenda and will defer the selection to a later date.
Administrator Fruchter noted that there are 7,881 licensed Establishments hosting a total of 41,937 VGTs. Approximately 4,545 of those establishments have 6 or more VGTs currently operating. He further noted that in the month of September, VGTs generated total tax revenue of $71,852,886 of which $61,287,065 went to the State of Illinois and $10,565,821 went to local municipalities. Casinos produced State tax of of approximately $27,183,707, with an additional $6,028,353 going to the host communities. Sports wagering generated State tax in the amount of $5,998,719. From January through September, Illinois generated State gaming tax revenue of $747,554,605, with an additional $143,849,668 going to local communities.
Administrator Fruchter concluded his comments by noting the following eight IGB meeting dates for calendar year 2022: January 27, March 10, April 28, June 16, July 28, September 15, October 27 and December 8.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
• Proposed Amendment to Video Gaming Rule 1800.320 – Petitions
The Board voted unanimously to adopt staff’s recommendation to approve for submission to the Index Department of the Secretary of State on First Notice the proposed amendment to Video Gaming Rule 1800.320.
CASINO
Owners and Organization Gaming Licensee Items
The Board voted unanimously to adopt staff’s recommendation to approve the request to convert Casino Queen, Inc. to Casino Queen, LLC.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt staff’s recommendation to approve the transfer of the direct ownership interest in Casino Queen, LLC from CQ Holding Company, Inc. to Casino Queen Fairmount LLC and further find the following entities and individual suitable as key persons: Casino Queen Fairmount LLC, Fairmount Holdings, Inc. and William Stiritz.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt staff’s recommendation to approve the request to convert Fairmount Park, Inc. to Fairmount Park, LLC.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt staff’s recommendation to approve the transfer of the direct ownership interest in Fairmount Park, LLC from Fairmount Holdings, Inc. to Casino Queen Fairmount LLC and further find the following entities and individuals suitable as key persons:
Casino Queen Fairmount LLC
CQ Holding Company, Inc.
SG CQ Gaming, LLC
Standard General LP
Cheryl Ash
Terrence Downey
Soohyung Kim
Key Person Approvals
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to find Michele Wolff suitable as a key person of Elgin Riverboat Resort d/b/a Grand Victoria Casino in her capacity as Regional Internal Audit Manager.
Occupational Licensee Items: Level 1 License Application – Approvals
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to grant Jeremy Howland a Level 1 Occupational license in his position as Vice President and CFO at HC Aurora, LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Aurora and HC Joliet, LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Joliet.
Level 2 and 3 License Applications – Approvals
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 24 Level 2 and 38 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 November 2020 who have properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Illinois Gambling Act and the Board’s Rules.
SPORTS WAGERING
Master Sports Wagering Licensee Items
The Board voted unanimously to adopt staff’s recommendation to approve the transfer of the direct ownership interest in Casino Queen, LLC from CQ Holding Company, Inc. to Casino Queen Fairmount LLC and further find the following entities and individual suitable as key persons: Casino Queen Fairmount LLC, Fairmount Holdings, Inc. and William Stiritz.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt staff’s recommendation to approve the transfer of the direct ownership interest in Fairmount Park, LLC from Fairmount Holdings, Inc. to Casino Queen Fairmount LLC and further find the following entities and individuals suitable as key persons:
Casino Queen Fairmount LLC
CQ Holding Company, Inc.
SG CQ Gaming, LLC
Standard General LP
Cheryl Ash
Terrence Downey
Soohyung Kim
SWA Occupational Licensee Items: Level 1 License Application Approval – Administrator Delegation
Pursuant to the authority delegated on June 11, 2020 to issue licenses under the Illinois Gambling Act, the Video Gaming Act and the Sports Wagering Act to all individuals and entities already licensed by the Board, the Administrator granted a Level 1 Sports Wagering Occupational license to Jeremy Howland in connection with the sports wagering operations at HC Aurora, LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Aurora and HC Joliet, LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Joliet in his capacity as Vice President and CFO.
Level 2 and Level 3 License Applications – Approvals
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 39 Level 2 sports wagering occupational licenses.
Level 1, 2, and 3 License Renewals – Administrator Delegation
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator renewed the Level 1, 2, and 3 Sports Wagering licenses of the individuals who were licensed or renewed in November 2020 who have properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Sports Wagering Act and the Board’s Rules.
VIDEO GAMING
Terminal Operator Licensee Item – Initial License Approval
The Board voted unanimously to adopt staff’s recommendation to grant a Terminal Operator license to Kronos Gaming LLC for a period of one year; expiring in November 2022.
Terminal Operator License Renewals – Administrator Delegation
Pursuant to the authority delegated to by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator renewing the following Terminal Operator licenses for a period of one year, expiring in November 2022:
1. ANGELLE & GREEN GAMING, LLC
2. CCFVG, Inc.
3. EMPIRE GAMING, LLC
Technicians & Terminal Handlers Initial Licenses – Approvals
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 12 Terminal Handler licenses for a period of one year, expiring in November 2022, subject to licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before December 31, 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 November 2020 who have properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Video Gaming Act and the Board’s Rules.
VG Location Establishment Applications: Initial Licenses - Approvals & Denials
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 48 Video Gaming Establishment License applications for a period of one year, expiring in November 2022, subject to licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before December 3, 2021, and to issue Notices of Denial to the following applicants:
1. Great Boars of Fire, Inc. d/b/a The Great Boars of Fire (200702428)
2. North Island Catering Inc. d/b/a Pearce's (200701485)
3. Pana Gaming Parlor Inc. d/b/a Pana Gaming Parlor (210700262)
4. Proviso Petroleum Co (sic) d/b/a King Gas (210700841)
5. Sofia’s Stefanis, Inc. d/b/a Sofias Stefanis Bar & Grill (210701321)
6. Travis Board d/b/a Twisted Throttle (210700075)
VG Location Establishment Denials – statutorily ineligible
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on June 11, 2020, the Administrator denied the Video Gaming Location Establishment license application of T42, INC. d/b/a JOHN & TONY'S (200700618).
Location Establishment Renewals by Administrator
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 November 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 1234 FOOD MART INC. d/b/a 1234 FOOD MART INC (190701593) and Livingston Gas & Grocery Inc. d/b/a Livingston Shell (130706660).
Rule 320 Petitions – Administrator’s Recommended Decision
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to adopt the Administrator’s Recommended Decision in 19-UP-028, Accel Entertainment Gaming, LLC v. Jakari, Inc. d/b/a Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant and Illinois Operators, Inc., et al., as modified granting Accel’s request to withdraw its petition.
Administrative Law Judge Recommendation
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to not adopt the Administrative Law Judges’ recommended decision in the matter of JAMES SHELTON d/b/a Silver Moon and d/b/a Jimbo’s (21-GB-016).
ADJOURN
The Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
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