Illinois Gaming Board met June 15.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Illinois Gaming Board convened for a Regular Meeting on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 9:04 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 June 15, 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 9:05 A.M., Member Kolar 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 Garcia 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 10:16 A.M., the Board reconvened its Regular Meeting of Thursday, June 15, 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 June 15, 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 Meeting held on April 27, 2023. The Board voted unanimously to amend the November 2017 and January 2018 Regular Meeting open session minutes to reflect that the Board did not invoke any enumerated exceptions during its vote to enter closed session.
The Board voted unanimously to determine that the closed session minutes from the January 27, 2022; March 10, 2022; April 28, 2022; June 16, 2022; July 28, 2022; September 15, 2022; October 27, 2022, and December 8, 2022 closed session meetings no longer require confidential treatment and are available for public inspection.
Administrator Fruchter noted that following the review of all closed session minutes from 2023, the Board determined that the need for confidentiality still exists.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
None.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Administrator Fruchter began his report by noting that, despite not having an open meeting in May, the month was productive for the IGB. In May, the IGB oversaw the opening of the Golden Nugget Danville, the State’s third new casino since the gaming expansion law was passed in 2019. He then provided the audience a summary on how the Golden Nugget Danville became the State’s newest casino. He further noted that Illinois currently has 13 casinos, 10 sportsbooks and 8,326 licensed video gaming establishments with more on the way.
Administrator Fruchter then provided listeners an update regarding the recently implemented Casino Modernization rules.
The Administrator concluded his report by noting that in the month of May, video gaming terminals (“VGTs”) generated Net Terminal Income (“NTI”) of $242,242,400, which resulted in a total tax of $82,361,149. The State received $70,250,624, while local municipalities and counties collected $12,110,524. Illinois casinos generated total Adjusted Gross Receipts (“AGR”) of $122,042,913, which resulted in State tax revenue of $23,913,391 with host communities receiving $6,974,774. Sports wagering’s operating results for the month of April (results are one month in arrears) included AGR of $89,515,010, State tax of $13,427,401 and Cook County tax of $1,001,798. On a combined basis from January through May (April for sports wagering), Illinois generated gaming tax revenue of $601,002,188. The State received $501,632,996 in tax revenue while local host communities earned $99,369,192.
PUBLIC COMMENTARY
The Board entertained comments from speaker Kevin McGourty.
The Board entertained comments from speaker Jeff Heimdinger, President – Lucky Lincoln Gaming, LLC. The Board entertained comments from speaker John Bosca, President of the Neighbors of River West and Chair of the Casino Advisory Council.
The Board entertained comments from speaker Kevin Olson.
The Board entertained comments from Cornel Darden Jr., Sonya Williams and Erica Chiang, representatives of the Southland Black Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
CASINO
OWNERS LICEENSEE ITEMS
Final Consideration of Owners License
▪ FHR-Illinois LLC d/b/a American Place
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to grant an Owners License to FHR Illinois LLC d/b/a American Place for a period of four years, expiring in June 2027, and further found the following individuals suitable as key persons of FHR-Illinois LLC d/b/a American Place:
1. John Nicholas Ferrucci
2. Maria Elena Jonas
3. Dora Elssy Maya
4. Maria Carmen Patlan
5. Ajoyi Lynn Stackhouse
Requests to Extend Operations at Temporary Casino Facility
▪ FHR-Illinois LLC d/b/a American Place
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to grant FHR-Illinois LLC d/b/a American Place’s request to extend operations at its temporary casino for a total of three years until February 17, 2026.
▪ 815 Entertainment, LLC d/b/a Hard Rock Casino Rockford
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to grant 815 Entertainment, LLC d/b/a Hard Rock Casino Rockford’s request to extend operations at its temporary casino for a total of three years until November 9, 2024.
Final Consideration of Owners License Renewal
▪ The Rock Island Boatworks, LLC d/b/a Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to renew The Rock Island Boatworks, LLC d/b/a Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel’s Owners license for a period of four years, retroactive to May 2023, expiring in May 2027 and further to find the following individual suitable as a key person of licensee:
1. George Thomas Papanier
Determination of Preliminary Suitability
▪ Bally’s Chicago Operating Company, LLC
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to find Bally’s Chicago Operating Company, LLC preliminarily suitable for an Owners license to operate the casino authorized for the City of Chicago. The Board further found the following individuals and business entities suitable as key persons of Bally’s Chicago Operating Company, LLC:
1. Noel Thomas John Hayden
2. Paul Joseph Juliano
3. Soohyung Lee Kim
4. George Thomas Papanier
5. Ameet Lalitkumar Patel
6 Joyen Mahendrakumar Vakil
7. Mark Wong
8. Bally’s Chicago Holding Company, LLC
9. Bally’s Chicago, Inc.
10. Bally’s Corporation
11. EPSG Master SPC Ltd. - Segregated Portfolio A
12. EPSG SPC Ltd. - Segregated Portfolio A
13. Standard General L.P.
14. Standard RI Ltd.
15. HG Vora Capital Management, LLC
SUPPLIER LICENSEE ITEMS - RENEWALS
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on February 9, 2023, the Administrator renewed the Casino Supplier license of International Hole-In-One Association d/b/a Odds On Promotions for a period of four years, retroactive to May 2023, expiring in May 2027. Furthermore, the Administrator renewed the Casino Supplier and Video Gaming Supplier licenses of NRT Technology Corp. for a period of four years, expiring in June 2027.
OCCUPATIONAL LICENSEE ITEMS
Level 1 Approvals
▪ Robin Ann Corbeil – Casino Queen, Inc. d/b/a Draftkings at Casino Queen – Controller
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve Robin Ann Corbeil as a Level 1 Occupational licensee at Casino Queen, Inc. d/b/a Draftkings at Casino Queen in her position as Controller.
▪ Albert Ben Crimm – FHR-Illinois LLC d/b/a American Place – Director of Support Operations
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve Albert Ben Crimm as a Level 1 Occupational licensee at FHR-Illinois LLC d/b/a American Place in his position as Director of Support Operations.
▪ Michael Edward Hastey – Casino Queen, Inc. d/b/a Draftkings at Casino Queen – Sportsbook Supervisor
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve Michael Edward Hastey as a Level 1 Occupational licensee at Casino Queen, Inc. d/b/a Draftkings at Casino Queen in his position as Sportsbook Supervisor.
▪ Nathan Matthew Kirby – FHR-Illinois LLC d/b/a American Place – Director of IT
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve Nathan Matthew Kirby as a Level 1 Occupational licensee at FHR-Illinois LLC d/b/a American Place in his position as Director of IT.
▪ William Allen Vermeulen II – FHR-Illinois LLC d/b/a American Place – Director of Slot Operations
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve William Allen Vermeulen II as a Level 1 Occupational licensee at FHR-Illinois LLC d/b/a American Place in his position as Director of Slot Operations.
▪ Jesse Daniel Wright – FHR-Illinois LLC d/b/a American Place – Director of Surveillance
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve Jesse Daniel Wright as a Level 1 Occupational Licensee at FHR-Illinois LLC d/b/a American Place in his position as Director of Surveillance.
▪ Derek Dariusz Robert Zelazny – The Rock Island Boatworks, LLC d/b/a Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel – Information Technology Director
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve Derek Dariusz Robert Zelazny as a Level 1 Occupational licensee at Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel in his position as Information Technology Director.
Level 2 and 3 License Applications – Approvals
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 130 Level 2 and 108 Level 3 occupational license applicants and to issue Notices of Denial to:
1. Phillip Anthony Lakes II
2. Augustin Bahena Jr.
3. Klayna Virginia Lozano
4. Angle Hasan Castillo-Prado
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 May 2022 or June 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
▪ FHR-Illinois LLC d/b/a American Place
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to grant FHR-Illinois LLC d/b/a American Place a Master Sports Wagering license for a period of four years, expiring in June 2027.
SPORTS WAGERING OCCUPATIONAL LICENSEE ITEMS
Level 2 and Level 3 License Applications – Approvals
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 66 Level 2 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 May 2022 or June 2022 who have properly updated their applications and complied with the requirements of the Sports Wagering Act and the Board’s Rules.
SWA Key Person Suitability Determinations
Pursuant to the authority delegated by the Board on February 9, 2023, the Administrator found the following individuals, business entity, and trusts suitable as key persons of Circa Sports Illinois LLC:
1. Derek John Stevens
2. Gregory John Stevens
3. Circa Sports LLC
4. The Derek J. Stevens Trust
5. The Gregory J. Stevens Trust
VIDEO GAMING
TERMINAL OPERATOR LICENSEE ITEMS
▪ Kings Entertainment LLC
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to grant Kings Entertainment LLC a terminal operator license for a period of four years, expiring in June 2027.
TECHNICIANS & TERMINAL HANDLERS
Initial Licenses – Approvals and Denials
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 40 Terminal Handler licenses and 1 Technician license for a period of two years, expiring in June 2025, subject to licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before July 31, 2023, and to issue Notices of Denial to:
1. Jeremy DeValle Johnson
2. Adel Benbouya
VIDEO GAMING ESTABLISHMENT APPLICANT ITEMS
VG Location Establishment Approvals and Denials
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to approve 95 Video Gaming Establishment license applications for a period of two years, expiring in June 2025, subject to the licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before July 31, 2023, and to issue Notices of Denial to:
1. Casa Raya LLC d/b/a Casa Raya (220702013)
2. OAK LANE OF OREGON, LLC d/b/a OAK LANE OF OREGON, LLC (210703861)
3. Sams Ristorante & Pizzeria LLC d/b/a Sam’s Ristorante & Pizzeria (180701550)
4. SEASON PASS BAR AND GRILL LLC d/b/a SEASON PASS BAR AND GRILL LLC (220703438)
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. Smoking Grill & Pizzeria LLC d/b/a Smoking Grill & Pizzeria (210700199)
VG Location License – Rescission
▪ COUNTYLINE 2913 INC. d/b/a COUNTYLINE GAMING (230700037)
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to rescind the April 27, 2023 denial and grant COUNTYLINE 2913 INC. d/b/a COUNTYLINE GAMING a Video Gaming Location Establishment license for a period of two years, expiring in June 2025, subject to licensee’s payment of the applicable licensing fee on or before July 31, 2023.
▪ 1234 FOOD MART INC. d/b/a 1234 FOOD MART INC (190701593)
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to rescind its previous Notice of Non renewal and renew 1234 FOOD MART INC. d/b/a 1234 FOOD MART INC.’s license for a period of two years, retroactive to November 2021.
LITIGATION
▪ 20 GB 008 - In re the Disciplinary Action of Accel Entertainment Gaming, LLC, a licensed Terminal Operator
The Board voted unanimously to adopt the staff’s recommendation to authorize the Administrator to settle this matter consistent with the proposed terms of the agreement to fully resolve DC-V-20-008.
ADJOURN
The Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
https://www.igb.illinois.gov/FilesBoardMeeting/20230615OpenMeetingMinutes.pdf
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