At Stake

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) held its monthly meetings on April 12, 2018 in Chicago. Just like our nice weather, the meeting was fleeting. As you may know, the IGB canceled the closed session meeting scheduled for April 11. So there were no denials, nonrenewals or disciplinary complaints discussed during the open sessions. Although Members Dolins and Robinson were unable to attend, Chairman Tracy, Member Alejandre and Member Hansen were present. Also, newly appointed Acting Administrator Lorenzini was present. 

Riverboat

The meeting began with the approval of the minutes from the March 2018 meeting. The Chairman followed with comments regarding the recent departures of senior staff members, including former Administrator Ostrowski and lawyers James Pellum and Sheera Hobfoil. The Chairman thanked the individuals for their service over their respective careers and wished them well in their new endeavors.

The Chairman stated that the May meeting previously scheduled for Springfield will be moved to Chicago and that the light agenda of the April meeting is a result of these recent Legal Department departures. While the Legal Department continues to rebuild, a new attorney, Jared Smith, has been hired and Rick Harlovic from the Licensing Department has been transferred to the Legal Department. The Chairman continued by thanking Acting Administrator Lorenzini for his hard work and long hours during this transitional period. 

There was no public commentary.

The Board moved to approve the dissemination of Closed Session Minutes from July 2017 through December 2017 as they no longer require confidential treatment.

Regarding items under final consideration, the IGB approved the following:

• CEOC, LLC’s Request for Illinois Gaming Board’s Initial Consideration, Request for Waiver of Two Meeting Rule and Request for Final Consideration of Repricing Transaction
• James Jabczynski as a Level 1 occupational licensee for Midwest Gaming & Entertainment, LLC in his position of Vice President of Slots
• Lydia Garvey as a  Level 1 occupational licensee for HC Joliet, LLC d/b/a Hollywood Casino Joliet in her position as Vice President and General Manager
• Penn National Gaming, Inc.’s Request for Final Consideration for a financing transaction regarding its merger with Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.
• Boyd Gaming Corporation’s Request for Final Consideration of a financing transaction for Boyd’s acquisition of five additional properties, four of which are in conjunction with the Penn/Pinnacle merger

The Board approved the initial supplier license of Advantage Promotional Systems, Inc., 71 Level 2 occupational licenses and 81 Level 3 occupational licenses.

There were no denials, notices of nonrenewals or disciplinary complaints issued.

That concluded this month’s Riverboat meeting.

Video Gaming

The Board approved its minutes for the March 2018 meeting and the Dissemination of the Closed Session Minutes of July 2017 through December 2017. The Chairman stated that he had no additional comments and that everything he stated in the Riverboat meeting applied equally to the Video Gaming meeting. The other members and the Acting Administrator declined to make comments.

The following terminal operators (TO) had their licenses renewed:

• Accel Entertainment Gaming, LLC
• Gaming & Entertainment Management - Illinois LLC
• Grand River Jackpot, LLC
• Great Lakes Vending, Corporation
• Illinois Operators, Inc.
• Lucky Day LLC
• Midwest Electronics Gaming, LLC
• Sinbad's Castle Arcade, Ltd.
• T's Gaming, LLC
• Velasquez Gaming, LLC.

While Da Route LLC was on the agenda for the renewal of its TO license, the matter was tabled.

The Board approved 40 terminal handlers, 48 video gaming establishments and renewed the annual licenses that were up for renewal this month, where the annual renewal fee was paid and the licensees updated their applications. 

There were no denials, notices of nonrenewal or disciplinary complaints issued, nor was there discussion of Hearing Requests. Chairman Tracy apologized, stating that Hearings Requests have to be pushed to the next meeting due to the Legal Department’s understaffing.

The meeting then adjourned.