Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Illinois river boats enjoy record take

The two Joliet-based operators also set high marks, with the Joliet Harrah's operators pulling in $19.8 million and the Joliet Empress recording $19.7 million, said Adrienne Levatino, spokeswoman for the Illinois Gaming Council, the industry owners' group.

The Elgin Grand Victoria's record month totaled $20.6 million, she said Tuesday.

Statewide, the $111.3 million in adjusted gross receipts -- the total take after winnings are paid out -- broke the previous high mark of $107.6 million in July, she said.

March may be a statistical anomaly because it had five full weekends -- times when more gamblers tend to visit the boats -- along with good weather, Levatino said.

"That does make a big difference," said Peter Simon, senior vice president of Nevada-based Circus Circus, co-owners of the Elgin boat along with Hyatt Development Corp. But he also praised his employees and their responses to customers.

Eric Robinson, Gov. Jim Edgar's spokesman, said the latest figures show once again that "riverboat owners in Illinois are making much more money than anyone ever dreamed."

Edgar has proposed raising the riverboat gambling taxes on the most lucrative boats to raise more revenue for education, health insurance for retired teachers and a compulsive gambling program.

The measure has stalled in the General Assembly, but Edgar aides predict it will resurface during end-of-session budget negotiations.

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