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Rivers Casino Des Plaines

July 18, 2011 by · Comments Off on Rivers Casino Des Plaines 

Rivers Casino Des PlainesRivers Casino Des Plaines, Several thousand persons filled the rivers in Des Plaines Casino Sunday night at an exclusive party before the public opening today. From politicians to celebrity’s big and small television time, which helped make the 445 million casinos and a reality, the wonder and excitement was evident in the sea of?? Smiling faces. On Friday night, about 3,500 Des Plaines residents and their guests had their own sneak preview of the casino at a party by invitation only.

The action was nonstop as visitors to bet on more than 1,050 slot machines and 48 gaming tables, downed cocktails, dinner with beat the casino’s five restaurants that serve free food, and rhythmic rocking blues of Jim Belushi & the band the Sacred Hearts.

“I think it’s great,” said Neil Kenig Lincolnshire, who served as a consultant for traffic and parking for the project. “My first impression of higher quality.”

Des Plaines Mayor Marty Moylan was caught in the act of playing the same game of dice and lost heart.

“They spared no expense in building this facility,” said Moylan among a flurry of handshakes, congratulations. “Everybody is going very well tonight.”

Perhaps the most fun person was the owner of Rivers Casino billionaire Neil Bluhm and Chicago.

“We did it,” said real estate mogul who owns four casinos across the country. “Thanks to the great cooperation of the city. We spent 10 years trying to put this together. I think we’ll do very well and will be great for Des Plaines.”

Des Plaines neighbors’ are also eager for a slice of the action.

“A strong neighbor is better for us,” said Mayor Craig Johnson Elk Grove Village. “As people come to the casinos, you can stop and fill up with gas, stop eating in the city. Visibility is best for a community. Obviously, this is another asset of the region.”

Rivers Casino, located about 20 acres of Des Plaines River Road between Touhy and Devon avenues, is open to the general public at 11 am

Des Plaines, which is a dream more than a decade in the making and involved the efforts of many council members and former mayors and the city’s casino, the former mayor of Des Plaines, Tony Arredi said.

“It’s just what I thought would be,” said Arredi. “It was a little exciting. The council should have a lot of credit. They were the ones who actually attended all the meetings.”

Arredi expects the casino will be an economic boon for the Des Plaines, as it has been for Hollywood Casino Aurora after he got there.

“The first year should be a good year,” said Arredi. “I think the real test will be how we look in the third and fourth year.”

Des Plaines Former Fourth Ward alderwoman Jean Higgason, who was on the board of the city of Des Plaines, when it was awarded the casino license, could not contain her excitement.

“It’s very elegant,” gushed Higgason. “It’s unlike any other casino. We could not have asked for better. You can come and listen to music. You can sit at the bar and watch people. It’s a lovely atmosphere. I never thought the day would come.”

State Sen. Terry Link, a Waukegan Democrat who has long sought to get a casino in Lake County, proved on Sunday Poker Spin a slot machine Rivers Casino.

“I think this is very good for the state,” said Link. “Obviously, this is a fabulous place. The state obviously needs the money. I hope this is successful.”

Link admitted that he is a great player, but is betting on Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation expanding the game to allow five new casinos across the state, including one in Chicago, Park City and Rockford, as well as slots at racetracks.

Link said the nearly 15 years the casino license was tenth in limbo before they are awarded to Des Plaines in December 2008, the state has lost more than one billion and earnings.

“I feel that now is the time we have to start generating revenue money to get back, so I’m excited (Des Plaines),” said Link. “I hope the new bill is signed and in two years we have openings in Park City, Rockford and three other places.”

Quinn, who was invited but was absent from the festivities on Sunday, has been evasive about his stance on the legislation.

Link said lawmakers may have to amend the legislation, but he believes Quinn finally signed the document.

If the legislation is approved, Bluhm said he hopes to be able to add spaces to their casino, which would go from 1,200 to 2,000, and get a discount on taxes.

“We are the best casinos, no matter if they pass the law,” he said.

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