Thread Rating:

EvenBob
EvenBob
  • Threads: 442
  • Posts: 29561
Joined: Jul 18, 2010
May 31st, 2011 at 5:24:09 AM permalink
Bout damn time. This is huge news for us close to Chicago, and more bad news for Vegas...

Casino

"The bill will allow four additional casinos in Illinois and slot machines for racetracks and at Chicago's two airports.
The sponsor, Rep. Lou Lang, a Democrat, has said the legislation would generate $1.5 billion up front in licensing fees, plus $500 million to $1 billion in annual gambling revenues, according to published reports."

Holy crapola.....
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
DJTeddyBear
DJTeddyBear
  • Threads: 210
  • Posts: 11062
Joined: Nov 2, 2009
May 31st, 2011 at 6:43:40 AM permalink
Airport slots?

Are there currently any airports outside of Nevada that have slots?
I invented a few casino games. Info: http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ ————————————————————————————————————— Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
rdw4potus
rdw4potus
  • Threads: 80
  • Posts: 7237
Joined: Mar 11, 2010
May 31st, 2011 at 7:21:35 AM permalink
4 more casinos? Where are they going to be placed? There are already 7 (soon to be 8) casinos within 50 miles of Chicago. The casinos in Milwaukee, Michigan City (IN) and New Buffalo (MI) are not too far from town, either. I would say that St Louis and the Quad Cities are saturated markets for their size. So, after the Chicago casino, where are the other 3 going? Rockford? Springfield? Champagne/Urbana?
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
Kayday
Kayday
  • Threads: 3
  • Posts: 45
Joined: Dec 11, 2009
May 31st, 2011 at 12:27:01 PM permalink
According to the Tribune, the other casinos would be "in the Lake County community of Park City, an undetermined south suburban location and in Rockford and Danville."
7outlineaway
7outlineaway
  • Threads: 9
  • Posts: 282
Joined: Nov 13, 2009
May 31st, 2011 at 12:27:58 PM permalink
Quote: EvenBob

Bout damn time. This is huge news for us close to Chicago, and more bad news for Vegas...



The Chicago area already has something like 7 casinos in the metro area, including the Horshehoe right outside the city limits (which runs along the state line south of the lake). And Chicago is still the #2 departure city for visitors to Vegas (after LA). So I don't think this will hurt Vegas much more than it's already hurting. The Indiana casinos already run free shuttles from multiple places in the city, so I think the new properties would mainly take business from each other, especially the farther out properites such as Blue Chip.

Back when I lived there, there was a period of a month or so when Daley campaigned hardcore for a casino in the city, then suddenly it died down. Not sure what was going on there, but given all the other band-aids Daley applied to fix the budget (selling the parking meters, etc) I would have thought he would have followed through a bit harder. Oh well, he's not there anymore, and neither am I, thank goodness.
rdw4potus
rdw4potus
  • Threads: 80
  • Posts: 7237
Joined: Mar 11, 2010
May 31st, 2011 at 1:00:52 PM permalink
So when the Yahoo article says "The bill will allow four additional casinos in Illinois and slot machines for racetracks and at Chicago's two airports," is that in addition to the Chicago casino? So, it's Park City, Chicago, and the south suburban location? (plus Danville and Rockford)

How is this not overkill?

There are casinos in Milwaukee, Elgin, Aurora, and Joliet (2). A casino is opening in about 2 months in Des Plaines. There are casinos in Hammond, Gary, and East Chicago. There's a casino in Michigan City, and another in New Buffalo. There really needs to be an additional casino in Park City, one in Chicago, and one in the south suburbs?
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
7outlineaway
7outlineaway
  • Threads: 9
  • Posts: 282
Joined: Nov 13, 2009
May 31st, 2011 at 1:09:05 PM permalink
Quote: rdw4potus

There are casinos in Milwaukee, Elgin, Aurora, and Joliet (2). A casino is opening in about 2 months in Des Plaines. There are casinos in Hammond, Gary, and East Chicago. There's a casino in Michigan City, and another in New Buffalo. There really needs to be an additional casino in Park City, one in Chicago, and one in the south suburbs?



I can see one in the city, especially a reasonable cab or L ride away from downtown. Best location might be near McCormick Place. Lots of convention goers and other tourists may be inclined to "hit the casino I've heard about". The Horseshoe already gets a lot of business this way. More than that, I agree.
rdw4potus
rdw4potus
  • Threads: 80
  • Posts: 7237
Joined: Mar 11, 2010
May 31st, 2011 at 1:23:38 PM permalink
Quote: 7outlineaway

I can see one in the city, especially a reasonable cab or L ride away from downtown. Best location might be near McCormick Place. Lots of convention goers and other tourists may be inclined to "hit the casino I've heard about". The Horseshoe already gets a lot of business this way. More than that, I agree.



I think the one in Des Plaines should be about as easy to get to as O'Hare. It's about 9/10ths of a mile north of the Blue Line. So if the casino ran a shuttle, it'd be relatively convenient. I do agree that a casino closer to downtown would be better, but if the market reaches saturation before a downtown casino is sited and permitted...
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
teddys
teddys
  • Threads: 150
  • Posts: 5529
Joined: Nov 14, 2009
May 31st, 2011 at 1:24:20 PM permalink
The problem is the Chicagoland casinos all suck, with the exception of Horseshoe, which is the only one even worth setting foot in. (Yet it doesn't have a hotel).

If they can relax the restrictions on gaming positions, and actually put in a nice hotel and restaurants, I think Chicago city would be a great place for a casino if they can make it the market leader. Hopefully the one in Des Plaines will be a bellweather. If they screw that one up, I don't see much hope for IL.
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
woodytyme
woodytyme
  • Threads: 3
  • Posts: 33
Joined: Mar 18, 2011
May 31st, 2011 at 2:22:27 PM permalink
Quote: 7outlineaway

The Chicago area already has something like 7 casinos in the metro area, including the Horsehoe right outside the city limits (which runs along the state line south of the lake).



The Horseshoe is actually in Hammond, IN on I-90 right at the state line. Passed it quite a few times but haven't stopped yet.
I am going to win the World Series of Poker!! (someday)
rdw4potus
rdw4potus
  • Threads: 80
  • Posts: 7237
Joined: Mar 11, 2010
May 31st, 2011 at 2:22:41 PM permalink
Quote: teddys

The problem is the Chicagoland casinos all suck, with the exception of Horseshoe, which is the only one even worth setting foot in. (Yet it doesn't have a hotel).

If they can relax the restrictions on gaming positions, and actually put in a nice hotel and restaurants, I think Chicago city would be a great place for a casino if they can make it the market leader. Hopefully the one in Des Plaines will be a bellweather. If they screw that one up, I don't see much hope for IL.



I didn't even think about the position restrictions. I suppose it'd be entirely possible that a Chicago casino would be too busy given the restriction (or insanely expensive...). Really, given the restrictions, is it possible for the Chicago casino to be the market leader? How ____ (Fancy? Hoopla-filled?) would the Chicago casino need to be to overcome the size restriction and take the market-leader position from Horseshoe? Would gaming have to take a back-seat to other entertainment at the venue in order for the position restriction to not be too burdensome? Could they do it with something like a Lumiere Place copy in Chicago?
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
EvenBob
EvenBob
  • Threads: 442
  • Posts: 29561
Joined: Jul 18, 2010
May 31st, 2011 at 2:38:51 PM permalink
Quote: 7outlineaway

The Chicago area already has something like 7 casinos in the metro area



There are over 10 million people in the Chicago metro area, they can absorb a few more casinos, especially nice ones.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
FinsRule
FinsRule
  • Threads: 129
  • Posts: 3945
Joined: Dec 23, 2009
May 31st, 2011 at 6:30:17 PM permalink
Quote: EvenBob

There are over 10 million people in the Chicago metro area, they can absorb a few more casinos, especially nice ones.



For sure.

Also, the bill that has passed the Senate allows the casinos to add more positions, so that would benefit the Chicago casino. I think the downtown casino would be #1 in Illinois. Who knows, it could pass Horseshoe if they do it right.

I think the comparison to Lumiere is pretty accurate.

Horseshoe is by far the best casino in the Chicagoland area. (I haven't been to Four Winds, and I'm not even sure if I count it as Chicagoland. Potowotomi is 2nd, but I'm not really sure if it counts either.

I'm really hoping this bill gets passed. I'm a huge horseracing fan, and it looks like the only way Illinois horsetracks will be viable beyond the next 2-3 years is if this gets passed. The casino owners are getting what they deserved for not just sharing the revenue with the tracks like they promised. If they did, there surely wouldn't have been enough votes for this to pass.

It cracks me up that the casino operators are crying poor. How is it even possible that 1100 slot machines in a room can't be profitable? It's a joke.
AZDuffman
AZDuffman
  • Threads: 243
  • Posts: 14451
Joined: Nov 2, 2009
May 31st, 2011 at 6:36:07 PM permalink
Quote: teddys

If they can relax the restrictions on gaming positions, and actually put in a nice hotel and restaurants, I think Chicago city would be a great place for a casino if they can make it the market leader. Hopefully the one in Des Plaines will be a bellweather. If they screw that one up, I don't see much hope for IL.



Couyld you enlighten us on the "position restrictions?" My apologies, I haven't seen it discussed here before or don't remember.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
FinsRule
FinsRule
  • Threads: 129
  • Posts: 3945
Joined: Dec 23, 2009
May 31st, 2011 at 6:55:06 PM permalink
Illinois casinos are currently allowed 1200 "spots" to gamble in. Each slot machine is one "spot". Each seat at a blackjack table, craps table, poker table is one "spot".

This means that casinos don't waste their spots with table games, and the casinos are very slot heavy. The poker rooms are tiny. In my opinion, this is the main reason that people are going across state lines to gamble.
EvenBob
EvenBob
  • Threads: 442
  • Posts: 29561
Joined: Jul 18, 2010
May 31st, 2011 at 7:57:33 PM permalink
Quote: FinsRule

Illinois casinos are currently allowed 1200 "spots" to gamble in.



How ridiculous. Do they call it the Church Lady law? Its sounds like something a Bible Belter would come up with.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
pacomartin
pacomartin
  • Threads: 649
  • Posts: 7895
Joined: Jan 14, 2010
May 31st, 2011 at 10:01:28 PM permalink
Quote: FinsRule

Illinois casinos are currently allowed 1200 "spots" to gamble in. Each slot machine is one "spot". Each seat at a blackjack table, craps table, poker table is one "spot".

This means that casinos don't waste their spots with table games, and the casinos are very slot heavy. The poker rooms are tiny. In my opinion, this is the main reason that people are going across state lines to gamble.



PA is radically different. Slots are taxed at 55% while table game winnings are taxed at 16%. The Illinois system strongly favors an all slot club. I am surprised there is any poker at all.
7outlineaway
7outlineaway
  • Threads: 9
  • Posts: 282
Joined: Nov 13, 2009
June 2nd, 2011 at 1:31:57 PM permalink
Quote: FinsRule

Illinois casinos are currently allowed 1200 "spots" to gamble in. Each slot machine is one "spot". Each seat at a blackjack table, craps table, poker table is one "spot".

This means that casinos don't waste their spots with table games, and the casinos are very slot heavy. The poker rooms are tiny. In my opinion, this is the main reason that people are going across state lines to gamble.



The other reason is that smoking is allowed in Indiana casinos, but not in Illinois casinos.
7outlineaway
7outlineaway
  • Threads: 9
  • Posts: 282
Joined: Nov 13, 2009
June 2nd, 2011 at 1:34:26 PM permalink
Quote: teddys

The problem is the Chicagoland casinos all suck, with the exception of Horseshoe, which is the only one even worth setting foot in. (Yet it doesn't have a hotel).



I would say Chicago casinos all suck, ESPECIALLY Horsehoe. My favorite (or least-disliked) of the bunch is Blue Chip in Michigan City, but it's kind of a long drive from the city.
7outlineaway
7outlineaway
  • Threads: 9
  • Posts: 282
Joined: Nov 13, 2009
June 2nd, 2011 at 1:46:24 PM permalink
BTW, my point about the number of casinos already in Chicago wasn't that the market was completely saturated (as I mentioned, I do believe a casino in the city would do well, and the biggest players otherwise could use some more competition). After all, the Colorado front range (for one) has more casinos serving a much smaller market. I was trying to say this wouldn't keep Chicago people from going to Vegas.

Who would (or should) own a Chicago casino, anyway? Almost certainly not Harrah's/Caesar's. Resorts and Boyd already have a presence. MGM doesn't have anything here, maybe them?
rdw4potus
rdw4potus
  • Threads: 80
  • Posts: 7237
Joined: Mar 11, 2010
June 2nd, 2011 at 1:55:42 PM permalink
Quote: 7outlineaway


Who would (or should) own a Chicago casino, anyway? Almost certainly not Harrah's/Caesar's. Resorts and Boyd already have a presence. MGM doesn't have anything here, maybe them?



MGM or Pinnacle? MGM sure did well in Detroit, Pinnacle has a couple very nice casinos in St. Louis.
"So as the clock ticked and the day passed, opportunity met preparation, and luck happened." - Maurice Clarett
  • Jump to: