Rivers Top Grossing Casino in State for 10 Months

May was the 10^th consecutive month had the more adjusted gross receipts than any of the other nine casinos in Illinois, according to a monthly report from the Illinois Gaming Board released last week. Rivers took in $35,277,000 in adjusted gross receipts during May, according to the report.

Since August 2011, Rivers Casino, 3000 S. River Road, has had more than $30 million in adjusted gross receipts every month, and May was the third largest grossing month since the casino opened in July 2011. The top-grossing month to date was February 2012, with $37,537,000, followed by April 2012 with $35,579,000 adjusted gross receipts.

Following Rivers Casino in May, the Grand Victoria in Elgin generated $22,964,000 in adjusted gross receipts, and Harrah’s in Joliet had $18,913,000.

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For the second year in a row the Illinois lawmakers passed a gaming expansion bill that includes five new casinos and slot machines at racetracks. Last year the bill was not sent to the governor because he said he would not sign it.

Gov. Quinn said the current bill was “full of loopholes,” and, he said, “I wouldn’t hold your breath on getting that bill signed,” the Associated Press reported.

Illinois House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang said the governor was misguided on gaming expansion, and that it would generate revenue for the state, create jobs and keep jobs in the state, on WTTW’s Chicago Tonight on June 7.

Lobbyists working on Des Plaines behalf have opposed the proposed expansion. Language in the bill was changed to benefit Des Plaines, including a reduction in the amounts of gaming tax revenue Des Plaines pays to the state and to 10 disadvantaged communities, as the agreement made in 2008 stipulated, Journal and Topics Newspapers reported.

Des Plaines Mayor Martin Moylan said the city was open to discussions about adding five more casinos to the state, so long as Des Plaines received some relief, but the threat of slot machines at racetracks would have an impact on Rivers Casino, the Daily Herald reported.