CASINO NEWS
Chicago prepares to issue request for proposal for city’s fi rst casino-resort
In early April, the City of Chicago expects to issue its Request for Proposal (RFP) for the introduction of a world-class casino-resort to the City’s landscape. An initiative decades in the making, Chicago’s sole gaming owner’s license will introduce a new entertainment destination to the heart of one of America’s most dynamic cities. The single gaming license presents a once-in-a-
generation opportunity for gaming operators given Chicago’s unique attributes: • Third largest metropolitan area in the country, largest in the Midwest, with over 9.5 million residents
• Global gateway and leading hub for domestic and international travel that welcomed 60 million domestic and 1.5 million international visitors in 2019
• More than three million working-age adults within a 50-minute commute to downtown Chicago
• Highly diversifi ed economy with 400+ major corporate headquarters, offi ces, and facilities
• Vast scale and connectivity that provide an immense market to the gaming complex
• A robust public transit infrastructure unmatched in the broader Midwest region
• Vibrant and renowned cultural and restaurant scene that paves the way for gaming and broader development in a world-class city “Chicago is ready to become the home of a major
casino-resort which will enhance our thriving entertainment and cultural scene,” said Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. “We’re excited to head into discussions with companies and partners who will help us develop the premier gaming and entertainment destination in our city and drive our economy in a transparent and equitable way.” The City’s new casino-resort will be seamlessly
integrated into its landscape, playing a crucial role in creating new employment opportunities for residents and driving economic growth for local businesses and
the City overall. A catalyst to generate new revenue and boost Chicago’s booming tourism industry, the project also will be able to leverage major developments coming to Chicago O’Hare International Airport in 2028. Grant Govertsen, principal, Union Gaming said, “The
single Chicago license is among the best casino-resort development opportunities right now. COVID-19 casino shutdowns, fi nancings to bolster balance sheets, and industry teams putting development plans on ice resulted in the Chicago casino opportunity largely fl ying under the radar last year. Now, the combination of available capital and attractive Chicago market metrics make the opportunity prime for a Las Vegas-style integrated resort.” The new casino operator will be allotted
opportunities both in gaming and hospitality, with the Alfastreet creates VIP partnership with Patir
Alfastreet are celebrating a partnership that has led to the creation of a seating solution the company is truly proud of. Working with seating geniuses Patir, the company’s latest VIP chairs are something special. An Alfastreet statement said: “At Alfastreet we
have been cooperating with several reputable chair manufacturers to be able to provide just the right chair for each of our many different products, yet the latest one feels a bit more special. Our VIP chair is a specially designed chair with an ultimate comfort and many additional features like electrical adjustment, chilled or heated glass holder, food tray, wireless charger and more.
4 MARCH 2021 “This chair is designed for a true VIP player that
appreciates the additional level of service behind the gaming station. To be able to successfully promote such a product, we had to offer truly the best on the market, as anything less would be quickly rejected by the most demanding customers. For that reason, we created a partnership with PATIR and they surely don’t need any additional introduction. They provided us with a perfect chair to be modifi ed and combined with our station, and sold as the Alfastreet VIP chair. “Patir is a very famous company in the world of
chairs and numerous reputable Casinos around the world recognized their quality by being exclusive to their products. At Alfastreet, we are very proud of
putting this deal together and we are more than excited to promote and install this product with our customers. Anyone who wants to show their best players how much they are appreciated, and to make sure they are 100% relaxed and rested during their gaming session, must look for a product like the Alfastreet VIP chair.”
option to launch a fully integrated resort with amenities ranging from a hotel tower, restaurants, and spa facilities to parking structures and entertainment venues. The license holder can own and operate a temporary casino for up to 36 months, and a permanent casino thereafter. Making the license opportunity even more
attractive, in May 2020 Illinois legislature passed Public Act 101-06481, which provides a signifi cantly lower tax rate for the possible casino owner, making the project more fi nancially feasible for an operator. The offi cial timeline of the RFP will be announced
soon; representatives for companies that are interested in receiving the RFP can contact
chicagocasino@cityofchicago.org for more information.
abricotine/Adobe Stock
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