With an incredible feature, a potential Chicago game controller has an even stronger motivation to obtain the license.
It has been confirmed that the winning bidder will be permitted to install slot machines at O’Hare, Midway, and Hare international airports.
The Illinois gaming expansion includes provisions for airport slots, but there is limited information available on how they will be implemented.
The winning bidder has the option to play slot games at O’Hare, Midway, or the casino resort, with a choice of 4,000 gaming positions. The operator can select from these locations.
In late April, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot discussed the potential for airport slots in an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The decision to allow for additional entertainment options at airports was made by the Legislature. The idea is to provide travelers with more ways to pass the time during downtime. We are excited about the potential for this opportunity. The licensing agreement will give our chosen partner access to both Midway and O’Hare airports. This will expand and improve the chances for an operator in Chicago, as we have already identified potential locations at both airports.
“The primary draw is the land-based casino, which is the main attraction. Flights are just an additional option for revenue generation. Our goal is to make this destination truly unique, so we will follow the operator’s lead on what makes the most financial and logical sense for them.”
Only Reno-Tahoe International Airport and McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas offer airport slot machines in the United States.
At first glance, they may appear attractive to a potential operator, but it could prove to be more difficult than anticipated.
What kind of revenue could airports games in Chicago produce?
We are restricted to using Nevada numbers due to the limited sample size of US aircraft games.
In 2019, Nevada airport games raked in a record-breaking $37.4 million in gambling profits, marking their most successful financial year to date.
Michael Gaughan Airport Slot Concession Inc. operates approximately 1,400 systems at the Las Vegas airport. Gaughan expressed concerns that Chicago’s high 40% gaming tax rate could present challenges for operators in the area.
Since O’Hare is one of the top three busiest airports in the US, foot traffic is not a concern. McCarran also ranks in the top five for its purpose.
Based on this, Chicago aircraft games may see similar performance to Nevada operators in 2019. The successful bidder will need to navigate high tax rates and operating costs, mirroring the challenges of the industry.
What’s the most recent at the Chicago casino, What & rsquo?
The city of Chicago has issued a deadline of August 23 for companies to submit proposals (RFP) for the Chicago casino project.
A winning bid could be chosen by the end of the year, with the casino expected to open in 2025. If a controller is selected, there may be a temporary game center in Chicago while the permanent resort is being built.
Chicago is not the only area with a casino license in Illinois. There are five additional licenses available in the state.
Despite this, progress has been slow in Rockford, Waukegan, the south suburbs, and other areas. Numerous groups submitted their applications in late 2019, but as of now, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has not officially approved any of them.
In April, Lightfoot publicly criticized the IGB and called for them to speed up the process of approving the Chicago gaming plan.
Lightfoot stated to the Chicago Sun-Times that after proposing to IGB, they must act swiftly. She emphasized the need for prompt action considering the time it takes for the gaming board to finish its work.
MGM Resorts has stated that they are unlikely to pursue the Chicago casino license due to high tax rates. The company’s CFO described the situation in Chicago as “complicated.”
According to Lightfoot, the major gaming companies in Las Vegas are anticipated to utilize airport games. It will be intriguing to observe how the winner integrates these games, as only a few are likely to do so.
