Illinois Gaming Board met April 27.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Illinois Gaming Board convened for a Regular Meeting on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 9:01 A.M. in the Fifth Floor Auditorium of the of the Michael A. Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL, and through electronic means pursuant to the Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/1 et seq. The meeting was accessible on the morning of April 27, 2023, 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 James Kolar. Four members of the Board being present, a quorum was satisfied.
At approximately 9:02 A.M., Member Hayden moved to 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 employment and performance of a specific employee, pending litigation, the review of closed session minutes of the Regular Board Meetings, 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 the disclosure by federal or State law. Member Kolar seconded the motion. The Board approved the motion unanimously by voice vote. Thereafter, the Board held its closed session meeting in person and 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 10:11 A.M., the Board reconvened its Regular Meeting of Thursday, April 27, 2023, pursuant to the Illinois Open Meetings Act, 5 ILCS 120/1 et seq. The meeting was held in person and through electronic means. The meeting was accessible on the morning of April 27, 2023, 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, Member Dionne Hayden and Member James Kolar. Four members of the Board being present, a quorum was satisfied.
APPROVAL OF OPEN SESSION MINUTES
The Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes from its Regular Meetings held on March 16, 2023.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
None.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Administrator Fruchter began his report by officially welcoming the Illinois Gaming Board’s newest Board member, Jim Kolar. Next, the Administrator provided a quick update regarding the Board’s proposed rule regarding vertical integration. The Administrator noted that a public hearing will be held at 12:30 p.m. following the conclusion of the current Board meeting and he provided additional information and instructions for participants and presenters. Administrator Fruchter then provided an update regarding the Hardrock Casino Rockford. He noted that after completion of a successful practice gaming session and accompanying operations audit, Hardrock Casino Rockford received approval to offer table games and have been doing so since April 5, 2023.
Administrator Fruchter noted that the State has 12 casinos and 9 sportsbooks currently operating. The Administrator further noted that there were approximately 8,299 licensed Establishments and 45,702 video gaming terminals (“VGTs”) currently in operation. In March, Illinois VGTs generated Net Terminal Income (“NTI”) of $266,317,235, which resulted in total tax of $90,547,958. The State received $77,232,199, while host municipalities received $13,315,759. In March, Illinois’ casinos had Adjusted Gross Receipts (“AGR”) of $131,025,422 and $27,969,405 of total tax revenue. The State received $20,509,237 of that amount, while host communities took the remaining $7,460,168. In February, sports wagering had AGR of $68,423,067 and the State received $10,263,460 in tax revenue, while Cook County received an additional $703,834. From January through March, Illinois generated an aggregate of $343,667,023 in gaming tax revenue, with the State receiving $285,112,033 and local host communities receiving $58,554,990.
PUBLIC COMMENTARY
The Board entertained comments from speaker Kevin McGourty.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS
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 permanent Video Gaming Rule 1800.1750 regarding Responsible Gambling Signage.
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 Video Gaming Rule 1800.580 regarding Annual Fees.
CASINO
OWNERS LICENSEE ITEMS
▪ Penn Entertainment Rule 230(d)(1)(F) and (J) Requests Regarding Proposed Casino Relocation Projects and Request for Waiver of Two-Meeting Rule
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to waive the Two-Meeting Rule and approve Penn Entertainment’s economic development proposals under Rule 230(d)(1)(F) and its proposed property acquisitions and transactions under Rule 230(d)(1)(J).
OCCUPATIONAL LICENSEE ITEMS
Level 1 Approvals
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve Frederick S. Anderson as a Level 1 Occupational licensee at 815 Entertainment, LLC d/b/a Hard Rock Casino Rockford in his position as Internal Auditor.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve Jerry Wayne Rubemeyer as a Level 1 Occupational licensee at Alton Casino, LLC d/b/a Argosy Casino Alton in his position as Surveillance Manager.
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve Adolfo J. Vilches as a Level 1 Occupational licensee at Midwest Gaming & Entertainment LLC d/b/a Rivers Casino Des Plaines in his position as Director of Security.
Key Person Approvals
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to find the Wolfe Gaming Trust dated April 21, 2020, suitable as a key person of House Advantage, LLC.
Level 2 and Level 3 License Applications – Approvals and Denials
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 78 Level 2 and 73 Level 3 occupational license applicants. The Board further voted to issue Notices of Denial to:
1. Alexis Michelle Kinnan
2. Shelley Jean Leady
Occupational License Renewals by the Administrator
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on February 9, 2023, the Administrator renewed the Level 1, 2, and 3 licenses of individuals who were licensed or renewed in April 2022 and who have properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Illinois Gambling Act and the Board’s Rules.
SPORTS WAGERING
Management Services Provider Licensee Item
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to grant Circa Sports Illinois LLC a Sports Wagering Management Services Provider license.
SWA Occupational Level 2 and Level 3 License Applications – Approvals
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 106 Level 2 and 1 Level 1 sports wagering occupational licenses.
Level 1, 2, and 3 License Renewals – Administrator Delegation
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on February 9, 2023, the Administrator renewed the Level 1, 2, and 3 Sports Wagering licenses of the individuals who were licensed or renewed in April 2022 who have properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Sports Wagering Act and the Board’s Rules.
VIDEO GAMING
Technicians & Terminal Handlers Application Items – Approvals and Denials
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 49 Terminal Handler licenses and 1 Technician license for a period of two years, expiring in April 2025, subject to licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before May 31, 2023, and to issue Notices of Denial to:
1. Shawn Michael Dixon
2. Asaan Rahim Hendricks
3. Ya’prie Maurice Jenkins
Video Gaming Location Establishment Application Items – Approvals and Denials
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 92 Video Gaming Establishment license applications for a period of two years, expiring in April 2025, subject to the licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before May 31, 2023, and issue Notices of Denial to:
1. Chalk’s LLC d/b/a Club 13 (220700961)
2. Countyline 2913 Inc. d/b/a Countyline Gaming (230700037)
3. RTS of Elk Grove Village LLC d/b/a Real Time Sports Bar (220700333)
4. TEJ’s Sports Connection Inc. d/b/a TEJ’s Sports Connection (210702341)
VG Location Establishment Statutory Denials
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on February 9, 2023, the Administrator denied the following Video Gaming Location Establishment applications deemed ineligible under the VGA and Rules:
1. Danvilles Main Street Bar & Grill, Inc. d/b/a Danvilles Main Street Bar & Grill, Inc. (220702155)
2. Giochi LLC d/b/a Trojan Horse (220702155)
3. Ogle County Brewery LLC d/b/a Ogle County Brewery (220700857)
4. NSCG Whistle Stop Café LLC d/b/a Whistle Stop Café (220703561)
5. Tequila Jalisco Mexican Restaurant Inc. d/b/a Tequila Santa Fe Mexican Restaurant (220702200)
Video Gaming Location License Non-Renewal – Rescission
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to rescind the Notice of Non-renewal issued to Martin & Bayley d/b/a Huck’s Convenience Store #197 – Eldorado (131003829) and renew the license retroactively to March 2022.
Rule 320 Final Board Orders
▪ 17-UP-007 – Accel Entertainment Gaming, LLC, Petitioner v. Midwest Electronics Gaming, LLC, Respondent RE: Shimerren, Inc. d/b/a Turtle Run Golf Club
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to adopt the Administrator’s Recommended Decision in its entirety as a Final Board Order.
▪ 21-UP-010 – Eureka Entertainment, LLC d/b/a Universal Gaming Group, Petitioner v. Union Bar & Grill, Inc. d/b/a Union Bar & Grill and T’s Gaming, LLC, Respondents
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to adopt the Administrator’s Recommended Decision in its entirety as a Final Board Order.
ADJOURN
The Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
https://www.igb.illinois.gov/FilesBoardMeeting/20230427OpenMeetingMinutes.pdf
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