A new racing season started this past weekend at Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and General Manager Tony Petrillo said 60,000 people were expected. He told the local business community the track provides 1,100 jobs and contributes up to million in tax revenue to the city.
However, Petrillo said interest in horse racing has declined. He pointed out Arlington Park was one of the top four tracks in the nation in terms of the size of the purses in the 1990s. Today, it’s ranked at 35.
Petrillo said the thousands of video gambling consoles at restaurants and bars across Illinois are hurting the track. “We have had to reinvent ourselves and change from being a racing company to an entertainment company. Looking forward, gaming is something we feel is very much a necessity for Arlington Park,” Petrillo said.
He stated turning the track into a racino would provide another 600-800 jobs and generate $3 million more in annual tax revenue for the city. “That’s a proven business model we know works,” Petrillo said.
Arlington Heights Mayor Tom Hayes said last year the village board sent a letter to legislators in Springfield to say the village supports slots at the track. “The village board is committed to ensuring that Arlington Park will remain the jewel of Arlington Heights for 100 years to come, and beyond,” Hayes said.
Petrillo noted unfortunately the topic of allowing slots at Arlington Park has not come up lately due to the state’s ongoing budget crisis. He also said Rivers Casino in Des Plaines is against slots at the racetrack.
Still, Petrillo said, “If slots come to Arlington Heights it is going to be done in a first-class manner. You have our commitment on that.”
