Midwest Gaming recently withdrew its application for a license to operate a casino in Waukegan, Illinois. The withdrawal of Midwest, a partnership between Rush Street Gaming of Chicago and Churchill Downs, leaves Las Vegas-based Full House Resorts and North Point Casino, made up of Las Vegas-based Warner Gaming and local investors, as the remaining license applicants.
The companies will make their final, 55-minute presentations to the Illinois Gaming Board on October 13. In addition, four development groups competing for the south suburbs license also will make their final pitches: Calumet City, Lynwood, Matteson and a site that straddles Homewood and East Hazel Crest. Gaming board officials said the licenses could be awarded by the end of the year.
The withdrawal announcement came just hours after Churchill Downs said it would sell Arlington International Racecourse to the Chicago Bears for $197.2 million. Observers said the deal, if approved by regulators, ensures the company’s Rivers Casino in Des Plaines will have no competition nearby. The two companies jointly own the Rivers Casino. In addition, the move triggered speculation that Midwest Gaming may be interested in the Chicago casino license instead. The deadline for that license application is October 29.
Churchill Downs submitted its Waukegan casino license application nearly two years ago in a joint venture with Rivers Chairman Neil Bluhm’s Rush Street Gaming. Midwest spokesman Dennis Culloton said it was only a coincidence they withdrew the same day Churchill Downs announced the sale of Arlington. He added, “A lot has changed since 2019. Rush Street and Churchill Downs wish Waukegan the very best. We are no longer one of the organizations pursuing the gaming license.”
Full House has proposed the $375 million American Place boutique property catering to high rollers, including a casino with 1,600 slots and 100 table games, plus 20 villas, a 1,500-seat entertainment venue and, in phase two, a 200-room hotel and more entertainment options. Full House officials have forecast $165 million in annual gaming revenue.
Full House Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer Alex J. Stolyar said Midwest’s withdrawal “was definitely unexpected. Mathematically, it clearly improves our chances. But our proposal was always going to generate more revenue and create more jobs than any other proposal, so we have always felt confident about our chances.” Stolyar stated if his company receives the license, design work will begin immediately and construction will take two years to complete.
North Point spokesman Jimmy Centers previously said if the company is selected, it would open a temporary casino until construction of the permanent facility is completed. Warner Gaming Chief Executive Officer Bill Warner said at the October 13 presentation he plans to emphasize the local focus of North Point’s proposal. “It will lift working families of Lake County, benefit our local small business partners and be an economic catalyst for the community,” Warner said.
