Regulators push for an Illinois racino

The Illinois Racing Board want a racino and threatened Churchill Downs with not allowing horse racing at Arlington International Racecourse if they oppose.

US.- The Illinois Racing Board wants to see a racino at Arlington International Racecourse. That’s why it took a hard stance during a recent meeting with Churchill Downs Inc.

During the meeting to schedule dates for 2020 races, regulators threatened the company. The authorities in Illinois want the racino and may not allow racing next year at the track if they oppose.

peppered Arlington Park President Tony Petrillo with questions he said he could not answer about the decision-making of Churchill Downs executives in Louisville, Kentucky. Racetracks have been lobbying for casino licenses for years, McCauley said, and now that they have access to them, Arlington is baulking.

“I don’t get it. This wasn’t a big surprise when this gaming act passed. It was a cause for a celebration,” Board member Thomas McCauley told Arlington Park President Tony Petrillo. Other track owners and regulators “were all thrilled with what we anticipated what was going to happen… up to now, where’s the flagship in all of this. I want to know what is an acceptable financial return.”