Latest News

Rivers Casino Des Plaines Unveils Expansion Plans, Including New Poker Room

Published

5 years ago

February 17, 2021

Plans Call for Larger Gaming Floor, New Event Space, and Additional Restaurant

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Feb. 17, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI” or “Company”) (Nasdaq: CHDN) announced today that Rivers Casino Des Plaines (“Rivers”) has filed expansion plans with the City of Des Plaines and Illinois Gaming Board that, if approved, will allow the casino to add approximately 725 gaming positions, making it the first to have the state’s maximum number of 2,000 positions. The proposed two-story addition will house a poker room, additional gaming areas, a ballroom for events, and a new restaurant. Rivers is jointly owned by Rush Street Gaming and Churchill Downs Incorporated.

The $87 million 78,000 square-foot expansion will be built between the existing casino building and the recently enlarged parking garage on the north side of the property. The first floor of the addition will house a new restaurant and an expanded gaming floor for slots and table games. The second floor will feature a 24-table poker room; a 10,000 square-foot ballroom for private events and live entertainment, and a slot machine gaming area.

“With this proposed expansion, we will be able to offer our guests more of the entertainment and dining options they enjoy, additional gaming opportunities and a long-desired poker room,” said CEO Greg Carlin, co-founder of Rush Street Gaming. “We have always offered a first-class experience for our guests. As the economy re-opens, we’re excited to raise the bar and provide them with an even better experience.”

“Rivers is Illinois’ most popular casino destination, and with this expansion we are continuing to focus on our guests to earn their loyalty,” said Corey Wise, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Rivers Casino. “We were the first casino to become land-based to expand our gaming floor. BetRivers was the state’s first sportsbook to open and we provided fans with the state’s first mobile sports betting option. When complete, we will be the first casino in Illinois to offer our guests 2,000 gaming positions.”

Initially, the expansion plan calls for the addition of 260 table game positions (a 70 percent increase) and will add 439 slot game positions (a 48 percent increase). Under the current plan, the property will have 26 additional gaming positions to allocate in the future. Rivers will pay the State of Illinois $24 million in gaming position licensing fees in June 2021.

The plan is subject to regulatory approval from the Illinois Gaming Board. The City of Des Plaines must also approve the addition, and representatives for Rivers will begin that formal zoning process in late February.

If approved, construction can begin this spring and be completed by spring 2022.

About Churchill Downs Incorporated

Churchill Downs Incorporated is an industry-leading racing, online wagering and gaming entertainment company anchored by our iconic flagship event, the Kentucky Derby. We own and operate three pari-mutuel gaming entertainment venues with approximately 3,050 historical racing machines in Kentucky. We also own and operate TwinSpires, one of the largest and most profitable online wagering platforms for horse racing, sports and iGaming in the U.S. and we have seven retail sportsbooks. We are also a leader in brick-and-mortar casino gaming in eight states with approximately 11,000 slot machines and video lottery terminals and 200 table games. Additional information about CDI can be found online at www.churchilldownsincorporated.com.

About Rush Street Gaming

Founded by Neil Bluhm and Greg Carlin, Rush Street Gaming and its affiliates have developed and operate successful casinos in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Des Plaines, IL (Chicago area) and Schenectady, NY. By placing an emphasis on superior design and outstanding customer service, Rush Street Gaming has become one of the leading casino developers in the United States. Existing casinos generate over $1 billion in annual gaming revenues, and all Rush Street Gaming casinos have been voted a “Best Place to Work” or “Top Workplace” by their team members.

About Rivers Casino Des Plaines

Rivers Casino Des Plaines is the most successful casino in Illinois and jointly owned by Rush Street Gaming and Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI”) (Nasdaq: CHDN).

Certain statements made in this news release contain various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by the use of terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” and similar words or similar expressions (or negative versions of such words or expressions).

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Important factors, among others, that may affect actual results or outcomes include the following: the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and related economic matters on our results of operations, financial conditions and prospects; the effect of economic conditions on our consumers’ confidence and discretionary spending or our access to credit; additional or increased taxes and fees; public perceptions or lack of confidence in the integrity of our business or any deterioration in our reputation; loss of key or highly skilled personnel; restrictions in our debt facilities limiting our flexibility to operate our business; general risks related to real estate ownership, including fluctuations in market values and environmental regulations; catastrophic events and system failures disrupting our operations; online security risk, including cyber-security breaches; inability to recover under our insurance policies for damages sustained at our properties in the event of inclement weather and casualty events; increases in insurance costs and inability to obtain similar insurance coverage in the future; inability to identify and complete acquisition, expansion or divestiture projects, on time, on budget or as planned; difficulty in integrating recent or future acquisitions into our operations; costs and uncertainties relating to the development of new venues and expansion of existing facilities; risks associated with equity investments, strategic alliances and other third-party agreements; inability to respond to rapid technological changes in a timely manner; inadvertent infringement of the intellectual property of others; inability to protect our own intellectual property rights; payment-related risks, such as risk associated with fraudulent credit card and debit card use; compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or applicable money-laundering regulations; risks related to pending or future legal proceedings and other actions; inability to negotiate agreements with industry constituents, including horsemen and other racetracks; work stoppages and labor issues; changes in consumer preferences, attendance, wagering and sponsorship with respect to Churchill Downs Racetrack and the Kentucky Derby; personal injury litigation related to injuries occurring at our racetracks; weather and other conditions affecting our ability to conduct live racing; the occurrence of extraordinary events, such as terrorist attacks and public health threats; changes in the regulatory environment of our racing operations; increased competition in the horse racing business; difficulty in attracting a sufficient number of horses and trainers for full field horse races; our inability to utilize and provide totalizator services; changes in regulatory environment of our online horse wagering business; A reduction in the number of people wagering on live horse races; increase in competition in our online horse racing wagering business; uncertainty and changes in the legal landscape relating to our online horse racing wagering business; continued legalization of online sports betting and iGaming in the United States and our ability to predict and capitalize on any such legalization; inability to expand our sports betting operations and effectively compete; failure to manage risks associated with sports betting; failure to comply with laws requiring us to block access to certain individuals could result in penalties or impairment with respect to our mobile and online wagering products; increased competition in our casino business; changes in regulatory environment of our casino business; concentration and evolution of slot machine manufacturing and other technology conditions that could impose additional costs; and inability to collect gaming receivables from the customers to whom we extend credit.

We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.


Investor Contact:	Media Contact:	Media Contact:
Nick Zangari	Dennis Culloton	Patrick Skarr
(502) 394-1157	(312) 228-4780	(312) 228-4789
[email protected]	[email protected]	[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c5c10f09-061f-44e1-b470-17026491c15d

Latest News

Galaxsys Expands Leadership Team with New Head of Partner Management

Published

1 hour ago

October 8, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Levan brings over 10 years of leadership experience, including a decade in the iGaming industry, covering both B2C and B2B markets. Throughout his career, he has held key executive roles in Commercial, Product, and Management, successfully building and scaling iGaming products, driving significant revenue growth, and establishing strong partnerships worldwide. His experience spans multiple regions and includes collaboration with leading operators and platforms.

At Galaxsys, Levan will lead the partner management strategy and development, strengthening collaborations with operators worldwide and supporting the company’s mission to deliver innovative, high-impact experiences.

Levan Kavtaradze, the newly appointed Head of Partner Management Department, commented: “I’m truly excited to join Galaxsys at such an important time in its growth journey. My focus will be on building strong, long-lasting relationships with our partners and helping them succeed through collaboration and innovation. I look forward to working closely with our broad network of partners worldwide, understanding their needs, and ensuring that our products and services deliver real value to them. Together with the talented team at Galaxsys, I’m confident we can create new opportunities and achieve new heights.”

Teni Grigoryan, Chief Sales and Partner Management Officer, added: “Welcoming Levan to Galaxsys has been one of the most confident decisions we’ve made. His expertise and human-centered approach, combined with a sharp business mindset and innovative ideas across both product and commercial areas, will be a powerful addition to our team. I’m confident he will foster seamless collaboration internally within our commercial department and externally with our valued partners. We’re excited to see the impact he will make as our new Head of Partner Management.”

With Levan’s appointment, Galaxsys aims to further strengthen its commercial and partner strategies, ensuring operators receive innovative products, seamless integration, and exceptional support.

The post Galaxsys Expands Leadership Team with New Head of Partner Management appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Martina Muscat joins Swintt as new Marketing Manager

Published

3 hours ago

October 8, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

In-demand software provider appoints experienced iGaming marketing specialist to strengthen brand consistency and ensure all communications really resonate

Swintt, the sought-after software provider celebrated in the industry for its innovative approach to game design and player engagement, has announced it has appointed Martina Muscat as Marketing Manager.

Having previously spent six-and-a-half years at Play ‘n GO as Online Marketing Coordinator before enjoying a more recent spell as Marketing Specialist at IGT, Martina arrives in the role with bags of industry experience that will help Swintt improve its communications across all channels.

Among the primary responsibilities of the new position, Martina will be tasked with ensuring that every upcoming game launch from Swintt tells a story that truly resonates with global audiences and that a consistent approach is taken in regards to all future messaging surrounding the brand.

Of course, given Swintt already boasts a packed product portfolio that includes Premium, Select and Elysium Studios – Driven by Swintt titles, Martina will have plenty of inspiration to work with and can use the studio’s previous successes as the blueprint to drive improvement going forward.

Martina Muscat, Marketing Manager at Swintt, said: “I’m really excited to be joining Swintt as the new Marketing Manager at what is an incredibly important time for the brand. With players these days wanting experiences, trust and something that feels tailored to them, I believe Swintt’s mix of in-house creativity and partnerships has put us in a great position to meet their demands.

“With a clear focus on regulated markets and a commitment to doing things the right way, Swintt’s huge portfolio of content means there’s so much variety and creativity to work with – and for someone like me, that’s marketing gold. Couple that with a great company culture that’s both ambitious and collaborative and it’s the exact type of environment where I can do my best work.”

David Mann, Chief Executive Officer at Swintt, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Martina to the Swintt team and believe her considerable experience in marketing will help us create an even more engaging and consistent brand persona as we continue to launch new games going forward.

“One of the things that really struck me about Martina was her passion and enthusiasm for the role. She recognises that with new markets opening, rising player expectations and ever-evolving regulations, the pace of change in our industry is relentless – but rather than being put off by the challenges, she’s sees the opportunities and is already thinking about how Swintt can capitalise.”

The post Martina Muscat joins Swintt as new Marketing Manager appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

IBIA launches Mission 2030, a new global strategy to safeguard sports betting

Published

4 hours ago

October 8, 2025

George Miller

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) has launched Mission 2030, a new five-year strategy to strengthen its role as the global standard for sports betting integrity. IBIA also unveiled a refreshed brand identity, reflecting its growing international reach and commitment to collaboration in an evolving regulatory and sporting landscape.

Khalid Ali, CEO of IBIA, commented: “As IBIA marks its 20th anniversary, we are not only reflecting on the past, we are also looking ahead to the future. Our new strategic roadmap charts how we will continue to deliver best in class integrity services to our members, deepen collaboration with our partners, and successfully confront the challenges and opportunities reshaping our industry. IBIA is evolving to ensure that whatever new trends emerge, we remain ready to safeguard sports, consumers and regulated betting markets.”

Mission 2030 focuses on three core objectives:

Strengthening IBIA’s Global Monitoring & Alert Platform (Global MAP) to detect suspicious betting and support investigations;
Expanding collaboration by deepening and broadening our partnerships across the global sports integrity ecosystem; and
Advancing prevention through better regulation, effective policy engagement and player education initiatives.

Mission 2030 serves as a strategic roadmap, setting direction and priorities while allowing flexibility to meet emerging trends, such as AI, crypto, esports and new market openings that are reshaping the betting and integrity landscape at an unprecedented pace. Detailed actions and tactical initiatives will be developed and delivered in partnership with IBIA’s members, ensuring the association remains flexible, innovative and proactive.

To mark this next chapter, IBIA has also unveiled a new brand identity. The redesigned logo, with six interwoven segments, represents the stakeholders vital to protecting betting integrity: operators, sports, regulators, law enforcement, athletes and institutions. Together, they form the foundation of IBIA’s work. The new strapline, “Safeguarding Sports Betting”, captures the essence of IBIA’s mission.

Khalid Ali added: “To achieve our ambitions, we need to evolve and that starts with the way we present ourselves. More than just a visual update, our new brand is a key building block of Mission 2030. It reflects not just who we are today, but where we are heading tomorrow.”

The post IBIA launches Mission 2030, a new global strategy to safeguard sports betting appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.