Gambling in the USA

Illinois Casinos Benefit from Tax Break Approved During Pandemic

Published

5 years ago

July 14, 2020

Illinois Casinos Benefit from Tax Break Approved During Pandemic

The casinos in Illinois have reopened this month, but they are not paying as much tax to the state as they did before the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to a change Springfield lawmakers approved quietly.

The casinos were not supposed to see their tax rate cut until a newly approved casino finally opened in Chicago, ramping up competition for the existing facilities outside of the state’s biggest city.

But the change made during this spring’s session of the Illinois General Assembly moved up the date when the lower tax structure at existing casinos would take effect — to July 1. That turned out to be the same day the casinos across the state reopened.

Illinois officials and gambling-industry advocates said that they do not yet know how much lost revenue that change in the law will mean for the state.

State Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, is the point man on gambling legislation in the Illinois House and he was a House sponsor of broader legislation that included the sped-up tax cuts for casinos. State records describe the change as “the acceleration of the reduced tax rate for current casinos.”

According to General Assembly documents, the new tax structure for the 10 casinos across the state would begin this month “rather than the first day the [Chicago] casino conducts gambling operations.”

The Illinois Gaming Board, which regulates casinos and other legalized betting in the state, told lawmakers the change would “decrease state revenues.” But at the time of the vote, gaming officials said the lost revenue was an “unknown amount.”

Gaming board’s policy director, Joe Miller, said, “The tax change was implemented on July 1, 2020. The IGB has not conducted a subsequent analysis of the proposed tax changes as the IG does not forecast revenue projections.”

The reopening of the casinos means revenue from gambling is flowing again to the state’s depleted coffers. But the industry’s chief Springfield lobbyist said some casino executives fear their take could be down by more than half during the rest of this year because of the pandemic.

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“We’ve been closed down so long, we wanted some kind of break in tax structure,” Tom Swoik, state-government lobbyist for the Illinois Casino Gaming Association, said.

Savings from the tax cut would go “toward promotion, to get people to come back now that we’ve reopened,” he added.

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Gambling in the USA

Revo Casino and Social House in Conway Holds Grand Opening

Published

2 weeks ago

February 7, 2025

Niji Narayan

Revo Casino and Social House in Conway, New Hampshire, has held its grand opening on Tuesday.

The Conway property is the latest addition to Revo’s growing presence in New Hampshire, joining locations in Dover, Lebanon, Manchester, and Keene.

Revo Casino and Social House’s new amenities include:

• Rebels: A bold dining experience with a full bar and great game-day energy. Revo’s signature restaurant serves up flavorful dishes like the Rebel Smash Burger, flatbread pizzas, and prime rib, making it the perfect spot to eat, drink and enjoy the action.

• Rebel Stage: Featuring live music every weekend.

• Revo Studio powered by iHeartMedia: An in-house broadcast center featuring live iHeart broadcasts. The studio also drives the Soundtrack of the Revolution, a curated music selection that sets the energy and vibe of the property.

Gaming Highlights: 75 thrilling casino machines, including Ultimate Fire Link Explosion, Huff N Even More Puff, and Devil’s Lock. Table games, including blackjack, roulette, and poker tables.

Speakers and guests at the event included Revo President Aaron Gomes, Executive Director of Mount Washington Valley Promotions Lisa DuFault, and the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s exciting to open Revo Casino and Social House and see the community’s enthusiasm for our gaming, entertainment and dining options. Beyond entertainment, Revo Casino and Social House will also support nonprofits across the Mount Washington Valley. We’re proud to be part of this community and contribute to its success,” said Gomes.

“This facility will make such an incredible difference for so many nonprofits in the Mount Washington Valley. The support that Revo Casino and Social House provides allows organizations like ours to better serve our communities and care for those in need. The impact is truly life changing,” said Lisa DuFault, Executive Director of Mount Washington Valley Promotions.

Gambling in the USA

Gila River Resorts & Casinos hosts $5.9 million Big Game prop play contest

Published

4 weeks ago

January 24, 2025

Adrienn Sarkany

To celebrate the Big Game, Gila River Resorts & Casinos is offering one lucky player the chance to win a $5.9 million prize by correctly predicting the outcome of 26 Big Game prop plays through its $5.9 Million Prop Play Contest.

“Nobody does full gaming entertainment like Gila River Resorts & Casinos, and we’re proving it with an unprecedented chance to win $5.9 million,” said Dominic Orozco, President and Chief Marketing Officer, Gila River Resorts & Casinos. “As a sports-centric gaming brand, we’re not just offering the largest casino sportsbook in the state—we’re delivering a complete Las Vegas-style entertainment experience across four incredible properties. This isn’t just another game day promotion; this is our way of making the Big Game bigger and better for everyone. Let’s make history together.”

In addition to traditional game predictions, the 26 prop plays span the entire Big Game experience. From predicting which team will win the coin toss to the game MVP, the contest brings an immersive way to engage with the game. In addition to the $5.9 million jackpot prize, there will be lower-tier prizes and other instant win opportunities.

Players can enter the contest by completing a prop card online and activating it at any Gila River Resorts & Casinos property. Entry is free; players will need to provide their full name, email and date of birth. Guests must be 21 or older to play. Entries and activations will be accepted from Jan. 27 to Feb. 8 at 11:59 p.m. The winner(s) will be announced on Monday, Feb. 10.

Gambling in the USA

Spinomenal makes US debut with New Jersey market entry

Published

4 weeks ago

January 24, 2025

Adrienn Sarkany

Spinomenal, the leading iGaming content provider, has made its US debut after launching an exciting collaboration with a leading operator in the state of New Jersey, and is anticipating many more valuable collaborations with top tier online casinos.

Following impressive growth rates, Spinomenal is making a major move into the New Jersey iGaming market, marking a key step in its global expansion. By entering this crucial U.S. region, Spinomenal will bring its innovative games to a new audience, strengthening its presence and leadership in the iGaming industry.

Spinomenal’s specially selected titles will be going live via Pariplay’s Fusion aggregation platform in the New Jersey market. Some of the outstanding titles being made available for NJ players are Demi Gods II, Majestic Wild Buffalo and Kitsune’s Scrolls.

This marks a major milestone in Spinomenal’s strategic expansion plan, as this debut establishes the company’s initial presence within the New Jersey market, with further growth anticipated across the US iGaming ecosystem. This move underscores Spinomenal’s commitment to expanding its global footprint and further solidifying its position as a leader in the online casino industry.

Lior Shvartz, CEO for Spinomenal commented: “After a decade of establishing and positioning Spinomenal as a leading provider in the iGaming industry, we have now taken a big leap and will provide our exciting content to the esteemed New Jersey audience. We are highly optimistic about entering this prominent market, following the process of obtaining approval from the DGE.”