Casino Mall Sues Illinois Gaming Board

Oct 21, 2015  A developer of a proposed casino mall in Hometown has filed a lawsuit against the Illinois Gaming Board claiming it exceeded its legal authority and violated the Illinois Open Meetings Act in. On October 20, 2015, applicants seeking to establish a “casino mall” concept in Illinois filed suit against the Illinois Gaming Board (“Board”) challenging the denial of their video gaming terminal license applications.

Hard Rock International has unveiled the entities and individuals who have invested in its proposed $300 million casino resort in the Illinois City of Rockford after a wave of criticism over the City Council’s decision to keep the list of investors confidential.

As many as 53 people and business organizations have invested in the project to secure a piece of ownership in 815 Entertainment LLC, a company that was established to unite Hard Rock, the developer and operator of the proposed Hard Rock Casino Rockford, and local investors.

Hard Rock released the records containing the names of those who have invested in the multi-million development scheme last week. As mentioned above, the City Council previously kept the names of those involved secret based on advice from casino consultants who had reportedly told Rockford officials that they should honor Hard Rock’s request to keep the identities of those investing in its planned property confidential.

A Denied Freedom of Information Act Request

Hard Rock released the list of Rockford casino investors after local newspaper the Rockford Register Star appealed a previously denied Freedom of Information Act request. The public access counselor at the Illinois Attorney General’s office was still reviewing the appeal when the contested records were published by the Florida-based gaming and hospitality company.

The Rockford City Council approved Hard Rock’s casino license application at an October 7 vote. Alderwoman Linda McNeely was the only city official to cast a negative vote against the proposal. She justified her decision to vote against the plan with the fact that the west side of the city, which she represents, has not been promised to receive funds for improvements from the gambling venue.

Ms. McNeely also argued that there should be no reason for Hard Rock to keep those investing in its property secret and that every resident of Rockford would want to know who would benefit from the major development scheme.

Dan Cain, a retired criminal defense attorney who lives in Rockford, told the Rockford Register Star that Hard Rock and city officials should have released the list of investors along with the company’s casino license application as it was competing for “a lucrative, exclusive license” and “secrecy only raises suspicion.”

Illinois Video Gaming Locations

The Project

Hard Rock’s city-endorsed proposal includes the development of a casino complex at the site of the former Clock Tower Resort on East State Street near the Interstate 90 entrance. The property will feature a 65,000-square-foot casino, a 1,600-seat Hard Rock Live event venue, and a Hard Rock Cafe.

The casino facility will initially feature around 1,500 slot machines and 55 table games with the option for further expansion in future. The gaming floor will also offer three dining outlets, two quick-service cafes and a sportsbook. Hard Rock officials say that a 225-room hotel could be added in future development phases.

After the Rockford City Council recommended the Hard Rock proposal, it will now be reviewed by the Illinois Gaming Board.

Hard Rock is currently preparing the application materials that it is set to submit to the state gambling regulator. Company representatives said that those exceed 10,000 pages and would be delivered to board members on high-capacity USB drives.

As part of the license application process, Hard Rock will have to pay a $250,000 license application fee and a $50,000 background check fee.

Illinois Gaming Expansion Casino Locations

Source:Hard Rock reveals investors behind Rockford’s proposed casino, RRStar.com

Illinois Gaming Board Forms

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