About Rivers Casino Waukegan
The developer, operator and owners of the state’s most successful casino, Rivers Casino Des Plaines, which earns more than twice as gaming revenue as any other casino in the state, are teaming up to propose building a 1600-gaming seat Rivers Casino Waukegan, which expects to bring more than 1,200 permanent jobs, create more than 900 union construction jobs and pump more than $150 million into the local Waukegan and Lake County economy annually
Churchill Downs Incorporated and Rush Street Gaming, who jointly own Rivers Casino Des Plaines, would bring their combined expertise as developers and operators of some of the most successful gambling and entertainment venues in the country to Waukegan at the Fountain Square site at Lakehurst and Northpoint Boulevard in Waukegan. The companies say their marketing and customer service approach will attract high-end patrons to Waukegan.
Rush Street, the creator of the Rivers Casino brand, is the leading developer of world-class regional casinos in Des Plaines, New York state, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. In addition to its premier position in Illinois, Rivers is the market leader in the Capital Region of New York state, as well as in Pittsburgh.
Churchill Downs Incorporated is a leading racing, online wagering and gaming entertainment company. The company owns and operates ten regional gaming facilities in eight states, has two leading online platforms BetAmerica and TwinSpires.com, and its flagship event, The Kentucky Derby, is the country’s premier horse racing event.
Opening a second Rivers-branded Casino in Waukegan creates a synergy in the market. With its reputation with customers, Rivers will bring Illinois’ leading gaming brand and proven record to Waukegan, delivering a tremendous benefit to the city that no other applicant can offer.
Other benefits and highlights of bringing Rivers Casino to Waukegan proposal are:
- Rivers Casino Des Plaines is the most successful casino in Illinois and hosted 2.9 million admissions in 2018. Its extensive patron database will help to attract players from throughout the region Rivers Casino Waukegan, complementing—rather than cannibalizing—current local video game operators.
- Rush Street Interactive, recognized by industry publisher EGR (e-gaming review) as Mobile Operator of the Year for North America, will operate in-casino and online sports betting for the proposed showplace. Affiliates of Rush Street operate the most successful sports books in Pennsylvania and New York.
- The first Gibsons Restaurant Group restaurant in Lake County, Luxbar, an upscale gastropub.
- 1625 proposed gaming seats, including a poker room, at opening with the flexibility to add more.
- Offer to purchase or lease the city-owned Fountain Square property.
- Annual contributions to charities in Waukegan, Park City and North Chicago.
- Rivers Casino Des Plaines is the first and only casino in Illinois to comply with the statutory minority and women ownership requirement. Rivers Casino Waukegan will do so as well. Rush Street also encourages diversity in its ranks, with 46 percent of employees and 28 percent of executives being persons of color.
“Churchill Downs Incorporated has a 145-year track record of offering unmatched premium experiences for horse racing fans and casino patrons throughout the United States, both online and on-site,” said Churchill Downs Incorporated CEO Bill Bill Carstanjen. “We are proud to partner with Rush Street Gaming to bring our shared vision for a world-class entertainment destination to Waukegan.”
“We’re happy to be considered to develop and operate what we know will be a leading entertainment destination for the City of Waukegan, Lake County and the State of Illinois,” said Rush Street Gaming CEO Greg Carlin. “It would be an honor to bring the Rivers brand and experience to Waukegan.”
“We are especially proud of our long history of hiring local people and vendors in every market where we have invested. Rush Street spends more than $23 million dollars annually on firms owned by women and minorities,” said Rush Street Gaming Chairman Neil Bluhm. “We’re especially proud of our diverse workforce and career opportunities we have provided our associates.”
“Together with our partner Churchill Downs Incorporated, we will bring a world-class facility to Waukegan and Lake County because that is what they deserve and that is what we always develop,” said Bluhm. “We look forward to sharing more about our proposal with city leaders.”