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New IL Casino Opens While Gambling Expansion Bill is Hung Up

By WEEK Producer
July 18, 2011 Updated Jul 18, 2011 at 10:36 PM CDT

Illinois newest casino opened over the weekend, in Des Plaines.

The hope is that the 44,000 square foot establishment will create an economic windfall for that area.

The state is expected to receive about $150,000,000 in tax dollars a year from the new
Rivers casino.

But, the opening comes as a massive gambling expansion bill is hung up in the Illinois General Assembly, with a Chicago casino in the deal, a destination which could draw customers away from Des Plaines.

Greg Carlin, River Casino CEO, says, "We operate in other competitive markets and do very well, so I think we're going to do very well whether there's a casino in Chicago or not."

Governor Quinn hasn't said if he'll sign or modify the casino bill when it gets to him.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanual has predicted Quinn will at least go along with the section giving Chicago a city-owned Casino.

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