The Illinois Gaming Board approved Golden Entertainment Inc.’s application for a video gaming terminal operator license. As a result, a wholly owned subsidiary of Golden Entertainment will operate VGTs in liquor licensed establishments including bars, restaurants, truck stops and fraternal and veterans organizations.
Golden Entertainment Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Blake L. Sartini said, “We thank the Illinois Gaming Board for its consideration and approval of our license application and look forward to participating in the state’s growing distributed gaming market. Given our significant experience and success in distributed gaming operations, including our position as the largest operator in Nevada and the second largest in Montana, we believe we can help current and new establishments that feature VGTs optimize their patrons’ entertainment experience. Illinois is an important and growing market for distributed gaming where we are considering both organic and acquisition opportunities to establish our presence.”
Illinois is the fourth state where Golden Entertainment is licensed, along with Nevada, Montana and Maryland. Golden Entertainment operates more than 7,500 devices in nearly 700 locations in Nevada. It also is Nevada’s largest traditional tavern operator with 56 locations and operates three casinos in Pahrump. In Montana, the company operates 2,900 devices in 290 locations. And in western Maryland, Golden Entertainment operates the Rocky Gap Casino Resort.
Last month Golden Entertainment announced a definitive agreement to acquire American Casino & Entertainment Properties LLC, which owns the Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower, Arizona Charlie’s Decatur and Arizona Charlie’s Boulder, plus the Aquarius Casino Resort in Laughlin, Nevada. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
