Illinois Attorney General's Fight For Integrity Of Illinois Gaming Upheld On Appeal

First District Appellate Court Says Emerald Casino License Remains Revoked, Despite Statutory Renewal

November 26, 2007 -- Chicago – The Illinois Appellate Court, First District in Chicago today ruled that its June 2006 decision requiring the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) to renew the casino operator's license of Emerald Casino, Inc. for four years did not nullify the IGB's December 2005 order revoking that license. That order by the IGB found that Emerald repeatedly violated Illinois law governing casino operators.

In June 2006 the Appellate Court held that a 1999 statute required the Gaming Board to give Emerald a four-year prospective renewal of its license, “subject to revocation proceedings.” After the IGB granted that renewal, Emerald appealed again, arguing that the Court's 2006 decision nullified the IGB's December 2005 order revoking the license.

Affirming the IGB's action, the Appellate Court said that “the Board followed our directions to the letter.” The Court added that it did not intend by its 2006 decision to “grant amnesty for pre-license behavior.”

“This has been a long fight to restore and ensure the integrity of the gaming industry in Illinois,” said Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who defended the IGB in these cases. “I am pleased by yet another court decision that affirms the Gaming Board's right to revoke Emerald Casino's license, thus continuing to protect the interests of the people of Illinois against unsuitable individuals operating casinos.”

Source: Illinois Attorney General

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