In January 2023, a 54-year-old patron visiting Rivers Casino in Des Plaines was confronted in the parking lot by an armed assailant, highlighting concerns about safety at the popular gambling venue.
The victim was robbed and subsequently driven to a nearby Rosemont parking garage, where the perpetrators fled.
Fortunately, the victim emerged physically unharmed, but this incident was part of a worrying trend, with multiple robberies reported at the casino that year.
A Chicago Sun-Times investigation revealed that while incidents of violent crime remain relatively rare at Chicago area casinos, thefts, altercations, and other nuisance crimes are increasingly common.
Rivers Casino, which ranks as the busiest and most profitable in Illinois, recorded over 1,500 crimes from 2020 to early 2023, making it the casino with the highest number of reported incidents among the eight examined by the Illinois Gaming Board.
This alarming figure is extracted from the approximately 3,800 total reported crimes at all casinos within the Chicago metropolitan area, reflecting a tiny fraction of the 31.3 million casino visits during that period, including about 13 million trips to Rivers specifically.
Among various infractions, the most common violation at Rivers involved patrons gambling after being banned through the “self-exclusion” program, which is designed for individuals who identify as problem gamblers.
Since the beginning of 2020, nearly 400 self-exclusion incidents occurred at Rivers, a striking figure compared to just over 100 at Elgin’s Grand Victoria Casino, the second-highest in this category.
In a notable self-exclusion incident in March 2023, a woman was cited for criminal trespass after attempting to locate a lost wallet at Rivets Casino, despite being informed of her banned status.
In addition to self-exclusion offenses, Rivers also reported the highest number of cheating incidents, totaling 106 since 2020.
In one such case, a player was removed for manipulating their chips while playing Blackjack, which was confirmed through casino surveillance.
Other casinos have faced their own challenges; Bally’s, which opened a temporary site at Medinah Temple in River North, reported at least 34 cheating incidents since its opening in September 2023.
One instance from February involved a patron suspected of increasing their Blackjack bet after the dealer had revealed certain cards, leading to an internal review by casino officials.
In total, around 200 cheating incidents have been reported across the eight casinos since 2020, with more than a third occurring at Rivers.
Additionally, counterfeit currency has been a persistent issue, with 36 incidents at Rivers compared to 40 at Hollywood Casino Joliet and 10 at Bally’s.
A notable incident at Bally’s in December 2023 involved a patron presenting a counterfeit $100 bill, identified by casino security as having unusual markings.
The Illinois Gaming Board plays a critical role in monitoring these violations.
Each casino has an IGB agent on-site, tasked with conducting investigations, making arrests, and collaborating with local law enforcement.
However, local police are not mandated to report all crimes occurring at casinos, resulting in potential gaps in the gaming board’s crime records.
While the majority of incidents recorded across casinos are nonviolent, there are exceptions.
For instance, since opening, Bally’s has logged over 275 crimes, with approximately 25 calls made to Chicago police in the initial months mainly concerning trespassers and disorderly conduct related to intoxicated individuals.
A serious crime incident at Bally’s involved a violent robbery where a man was assaulted and had his expensive watch and phones stolen by multiple attackers, indicating that even newer casinos are grappling with security challenges.
Despite these concerning reports, casino operators emphasize their commitment to ensuring safety and security for guests and employees.
Travis Hankins, Bally’s Chicago general manager, stated that the establishment remains dedicated to proactively addressing risks and fostering a safe environment.
A representative from Rivers Casino echoed this sentiment, highlighting that their security measures are geared toward ensuring the well-being of patrons.
According to their analysis, less than 0.01% of patrons experience safety issues during their visits, underlining the rarity of serious incidents.
Adam Scavette, an economist from the Federal Reserve Bank, analyzed the effects of expanded gambling in the U.S. and found little evidence linking casino openings to heightened crime rates in nearby areas, asserting that negative community outcomes have diminished over time.
The report noted that the total reported crime at Rivers Casino was followed by Hollywood Casino Joliet, which had over 500 incidents since 2020, including the most thefts among Chicago area casinos.
Harrah’s, another Joliet casino, recorded the highest number of domestic violence reports, highlighting a broader issue of violence across the gambling industry.
All eight casinos reported instances of patrons attempting to gain entry while underage or using false identification, a significant concern considering Illinois law prohibits anyone under 21 on gaming floors.
The issue of unattended children in vehicles parked at casinos continues to be problematic, with 11 reported incidents since 2020, indicating lapses in parental supervision.
Marcus Fruchter, the gaming board administrator, emphasized a commitment to safety, compliance, and collaboration with local law enforcement for optimizing crime prevention strategies.
In 2023, a new regulation mandated the installation of weapons detection systems at all Illinois casinos as part of ongoing efforts to boost security measures.
While Illinois casinos may face their share of crime, a similar trend has been identified in neighboring states, such as Indiana.
Reports indicated that a patron at the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana was robbed at gunpoint in a parking lot in 2023, underscoring that crime is a concern across the board in gambling venues.
Overall, while patrons frequent casinos for entertainment, it is evident that these establishments continue to confront various crime-related challenges in an evolving regulatory environment.
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