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by: Gene Koprowski.
Seven companies bid from $60 million to $435 million for permission to operate slot machines and betting tables— less than the $518 million bid the 10th gambling license drew four years ago.

The final rounds of bids are in for Illinois' sole remaining casino license.

Illinois Gaming Board officials plan to award the license by the end of the year, and said that the bidding process is not just about giving the go-ahead to the highest bidder.

"No one should assume that any one applicant has an advantage over another applicant based solely on the amount of the initial application fee offered," board attorney Michael Fries said.

The biggest bid, at $435 million, came from Trilliant Gaming Inc., a Los Angeles-based venture teaming with Rosemont, a village all too familiar with the ins and outs of casino licensing in Illinois.
The suburb of Rosemont had been slated to get the state's 10th casino until the company it partnered with, Emerald Casino, was denied the license in 2001.

Rosemont continued to lobby for a casino, pairing with Isle of Capri, which won with a $518 million offer in 2004. The state, however, restarted the process for licensing.
The new bidders are as follows:
Location: Waukegan

Offer: $225 million

Company: Waukegan Gaming LLC

Developers Richard Stein and Alan Ludwig

Location: Harvey

Offer: $175 million

Company: SouthSide Casino LLC

Developer: David Hanlon, president and CEO of New York-based Empire Resorts Inc.

Location: Calumet City

Offer: $150 million

Company: Calumet Gaming LLC

Developer: Hinsdale-based gambling executive Joseph Canfora, Gary Grasso

Location: Stickney

Offer: $150 million

Company: Hawthorne Gaming LLC

Developer: the Carey family, which owns Hawthorne Race Course; Joseph Canfora

Location: Des Plaines

Offer: $100 million

Company: Midwest Gaming & Entertainment LLC

Develop: Developer Neil Bluhm

Location: Country Club Hills

Offer: $60 million


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