Churchill Downs Incorporated, the owner of Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights, Ill., announced Wednesday that the track did not apply to the Illinois Gaming Board for a slot machine and table game license under the recently enacted Illinois Gaming Act.
“Notwithstanding our steadfast commitment to the Illinois Thoroughbred racing industry and despite the good faith intentions of everyone involved in the passage of the Illinois Gaming Act, the economic terms under which Arlington would be granted a casino gaming license do not provide an acceptable financial return and we cannot responsibly proceed,” said Bill Carstanjen, the CEO of CDI. “The Chicagoland market has seen a significant proliferation of video gaming terminals over the last several years and now faces the potential introduction of five new gaming facilities as well as increased gaming positions at existing casinos and video gaming outlets.
'Arlington would enter this market with an effective tax rate that would be approximately 17.5% to 20% higher than the existing Chicagoland casinos due to contributions to the Thoroughbred purse account. This disadvantage in a hyper-competitive gaming market, coupled with substantial licensing and reconciliation fees and new, unviable horse racing requirements in the Illinois Gaming Act, makes construction of a casino at Arlington financially untenable. It is with a heavy heart that we conclude that we can’t make this work.”
Churchill Downs hasn’t committed to racing at Arlington beyond 2021. After months of contentious negotiations, the track last month reached a two-year agreement with the horse trainers. Arlington owners say they’re not sure slot machines would be good for their property. Arlington President Tony Petrillo pleaded for new racing dates to be awarded, saving 2,300 jobs. ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — After years of lobbying for slot machines and table games at Arlington Park, Churchill Downs Inc. Has announced it will not move forward with obtaining a casino license for.
Arlington will conduct horse racing in 2020 and 2021 and also will apply for a sports betting license while longer-term alternatives are explored. CDI and the team at Arlington will continue to work with legislative and community stakeholders, as well as Arlington’s customers, employees and horsemen to find a solution that takes into account the many constituents across the state of Illinois who depend on horse racing for their livelihoods. All options will be considered, including moving the racing license to another community in the Chicagoland area or elsewhere in the state.
CDI remains heavily invested in the State of Illinois. Rivers Casino Des Plaines, of which CDI owns approximately 61%, has applied to add up to 800 new gaming positions and will expand its facility, which will provide incremental tax revenue to the state and job opportunities for its citizens.
