State's casino take smaller than expected - 2004-01-09
Higher gaming taxes that took effect last July 1 originally were supposed to boost the state's annual take from casinos by $200 million.

Now, Gov. Blagojevich and state lawmakers might be lucky if the new taxes produce one-third of that, according to Illinois Gaming Board statistics published Thursday.

The data's impact was felt on Wall Street and in Springfield. It sparked stock analysts from J.P. Morgan to predict "continued [casino] customer erosion from Illinois to Indiana," where casino taxes are cheaper, patrons never get charged admission fees, and riverboats haven't had to scale back the hours they're open.
Read the full story at Chicago Sun Times

Casino Owner May Be Involved In Strip Club Probe - 2004-01-09
New details have surfaced about the relationship between a topless bar owner under investigation and one of the new owners of the Golden Nugget Casino. During Gaming Control Board hearings, Tim Poster was questioned about his dealings with Rick Rizzolo, owner of the Crazy Horse Too topless club, the subject of a federal probe. News 3 Investigator Glen Meek reports that probe may impact licensing for the Golden Nugget's new owners.

It has already made one change. Regulators are recommending only a limited license for the Golden Nugget at this point. This, after tough questioning from a former FBI agent revealed that one of the owners was secretly recorded by FBI agents during the federal probe of the Crazy Horse Too.
Read the full story at KVBC