WAUKEGAN, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Churchill Downs and Rush Street Gaming, owners of the Rivers Casino, pulled their bid for a new casino license in Waukegan hours after news broke that the Chicago Bears would be buying the Arlington International Racecourse property.
Churchill Downs was criticized for passing on an opportunity to open a “racino,” a combination of a casino and racetrack, at Arlington Park and it was seen as protecting its cash cow, the Rivers Casino, from new competition.
According to the Sun-Times, on Wednesday, Churchill Downs notified the Illinois Gaming Board that it was withdrawing the bid for the Waukegan casino license it was seeking along with Rush Street Gaming; leading people to believe it may be because Rush Street and billionaire chairman Neil Bluhm are setting their sights on the recently approved casino in Chicago.
But, Rush Street spokesman Dennis Culloton told the Sun-Times it was only a coincidence they withdrew the same day Churchill Downs announced the sale of Arlington.
Meanwhile, Churchill Downs said the $197.2 million agreement with the Chicago Bears keeps gambling and competition from moving in on the Arlington property.
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