The Illinois Gaming Board on Thursday renewed Rivers Casino’s gaming license as well as Hawthorne Race Course’s master sports wagering license.
Both renewals by the state agency came via unanimous 4-0 votes and are good for four years, with Rivers now licensed through August 2028 and Hawthorne through September of that year.
Rivers Casino, located in Des Plaines near O’Hare International Airport, is the top revenue generator among Illinois’ 15 casinos in operation, having reported $346.2 million in winnings through the first eight months of the year. That has resulted in $103.9 million in state and local tax revenue.
Hawthorne Race Course, which has seen progress in trying to open a racino in the south Chicago suburb of Stickney slow in recent years, was among the first venues to offer retail sports betting in the Land of Lincoln.
