Rivers Casino to host informational vendor forum for Waukegan businesses
Waukegan area businesses can learn how they can become a vendor or supplier to the proposed Rivers Casino Waukegan at an informational vendor forum beginning at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 at Lakehurst Banquets, 300 Lakehurst Road in Waukegan.
Rivers' owners, Rush Street Gaming and Churchill Downs Incorporated, have a successful track record of contracting with local and diverse businesses in every market in which they operate and have committed to partnering with local businesses if selected to be Waukegan's casino destination.
"We have a track record of spending locally and supporting the growth and development of area businesses," said Neil Bluhm, chairman of Rush Street Gaming. "If Rivers Waukegan is the winning bidder, we will adopt a Waukegan First policy to vendor purchases. Our vendor forum is the first important step to creating opportunities for local businesses."
In 2018, Rivers Des Plaines, the top grossing casino in Illinois, spent a total of $42 million with Illinois-based businesses, including more than $6 million with Des Plaines businesses. In addition to the Waukegan First policy for vendors and suppliers, Rivers will also be committed to providing opportunities to businesses owned by minorities and women. Over the past four years, Rivers Des Plaines spent more than $37 million with MBE/WBE/DBE businesses.
Rivers Waukegan will pump more than $150 million in economic activity into the local Waukegan and Lake County economy annually.
Rivers Des Plaines is the top grossing casino, and top taxpaying casino in Illinois.
The proposed 1,625 gaming-seat Rivers Casino Waukegan would create 60 percent more jobs, generate $5 million more in annual local share gaming tax revenue and $1 million more in annual local admissions taxes than the lowest bidder under consideration by city officials.
The vendor forum is open to the public for everyone over age 18. Sessions will begin at 1 p.m. with a focus on MBE/WBE/DBE vendor opportunities and a 3 p.m. general vendor session. Because the city of Waukegan has not yet made a selection for its casino partner, this event is informational only. The Rivers team will educate area businesses on the process to get licensed and approved for a working in the gaming industry.
"We're proud to support the local economy by partnering with local vendors," said Rush Street Gaming CEO Greg Carlin. "The Waukegan First policy will deepen our involvement with the community and help us create a premier destination."
In addition to hiring and training from the local community, the Rivers Casino Waukegan team also committed to donating two percent of pretax income back to the community through ongoing charitable contributions after opening, which they estimate will average $1 million annually.
"We have a proven track record for meeting and exceeding our commitments to partner with local businesses in all of our properties," said Bill Carstanjen, Chief Executive Officer of Churchill Downs Incorporated. "We will give back to the community and the community, in turn, will make Rivers Waukegan a success."