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Gold Rush Gaming faces state scrutiny amid failed Tinley Park “racino” plan
The Illinois Gaming Board wants to revoke the video gaming license of Rick Heidner’s company following alleged payoff allegations
Two months after Gov. J.B. Pritzker abruptly stopped Gold Rush Gaming’s proposed racetrack and casino in Tinley Park because of possible mob affiliations, the state now wants to now revoke the company’s video gambling license.
The move by the Illinois Gaming Board comes amid allegations that the company, led by Rick Heidner, allegedly offered $5 million to the owner of a gambling parlor chain that was going to remove Gold Rush Gaming’s machines, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Heidner denies the charges and calls it an effort by his competitors to destroy him, according to the report.
Heidner has until early January to respond to the investigation; a spokesperson said he will do so.
Meanwhile a south suburban developer earlier this month offered up a plan to revive the racino. Philip Goldberg, vice president and general counsel of Simborg Development Inc., is leading a group of developers who just signed a deal to purchase Balmoral Park in Crete for an undisclosed price.
Goldberg’s group owns the property, but there are still hurdles the project faces before it can become a functioning gambling race track again. Chief among them is that state lawmakers need to amend the recently-passed gambling expansion law to include the Crete Township. [Sun-Times] — Jacqueline Flynn