Rockford‘s city council ratified Mayor Tom McNamara‘s selection of Hard Rock International, 11-1. Even casino opponent Alderman Frank Beach voted aye, saying, “My vote 
tonight is really not for a casino in Rockford. But it’s the best way to block the unregulated [read: tribal] casino from moving forward in Beloit.” Alderwoman Venita Hervey requested a bit of old-fashioned Illinois graft, asking Hard Rock to spread some money in her ward, even though the casino isn’t going there. The recommendation now proceeds to the Illinois Gaming Board, which has a year to vote on it.
Meanwhile, in Danville, the idea of a “family friendly” casino is being pitched. The concept would include a lazy river, among other amenities. “This is more than just the typical casino. It will be a resort complex. A destination. A place that people will be excited to come to, and more importantly, more excited to want to come back to,” said Haven Gaming‘s Bill Bembenek. The casino would be strategically sited on the Indiana state line, just off I-74. “When you drive by, we want the ‘Wow’ effect,” explained Haven counsel Scott Sypolt. The selection of Haven appears to be a done deal, so this one also goes to the regulators for approval.
* In the strangest casino scandal I’ve ever read about, trading of hydrocodone for casino points (and comped meals) is alleged at Grand River Casino. The aptly named Meinrad Medicine, along with Carlene Cloke, has pled guilty to felony distribution, and nine others have been charged in the drug ring. Former casino marketing director Candace Crow Ghost has fessed up to embezzling five grand from the casino while Quenton Brown Otter has admitted to slipping Crow Ghost the “hillbilly heroin” in exchange for the points and meals. Standing Rock Sioux Reservation has responded to the scandal by 86-ing 10 people from the casino, presumably the same 10 who got their rewards level tweaked by keeping Crow Ghost supplied.
