Poker Writer
Hollywood Casino Aurora enjoyed a very successful full-month opening in July, as the new casino can already count itself among the most lucrative in the greater Chicago area.
After opening on June 24, the land-based $360 million property doubled its revenue and admissions from the same month last year, when it was a moored barge casino on the river.
The casino’s website promotes that it has more than 1,000 slots and more than 50 table games. It does notably lack a poker room. It is conveniently located next to a major regional outlet mall in Aurora, which likely helps attract patrons.
The new propery has a hotel, event center, and top-class dining options as well. That sets it apart from the old gambling-centric property.
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Ranking High Amongst Illinois Casinos
According to the Illinois Gaming Board’s monthly reports, which compile numbers for all Illinois casinos, Hollywood Casino Aurora ranked third both in admissions and revenue among 17 casinos. It trails only Rivers Casino, which is far ahead of its competitors, and Wind Creek Southland for second place.
The new-property boost likely helped with the first month of traffic. Many people are often attracted to new spaces to check them out. Time will tell whether the new Hollywood property can sustain the traffic bump and remain among the top three.
Rivers Casino is likely out of reach, with numbers that more than double second place in both admissions and revenue. Its location right next to O’Hare International Airport always gives Rivers a distinct advantage.
But Hollywood Aurora could establish itself in the second slot. It was only $2 million behind Wind Creek in revenue and trailed by 14,000 admissions, which is closer than its own gap with fourth-place Bally’s Chicago.
Once it is actually completed, the new Bally’s Casino may compete with Rivers for the top spot. However, ongoing issues with the city could delay its construction yet again. It currently operates a temporary casino, with the final product scheduled to open in 2027 in the most central location (population-wise) of any Illinois casino.
Patrons Call Hollywood Casino Aurora ‘Glitzy’
Early reports about the new casino are generally positive. Users on Reddit discussing it had mixed opinions. One user called it very glitzy and comparable to Vegas strip casinos:
Not a big gambler either, but the new place is very very chic. Resembles some favorite Vegas strip casinos. Slots as far as the eye can see at all price points. Handful of table games (craps, blackjack, etc). Has a sports book. Great restaurants. Great parking. Worth a trip. Plus you got the outlet mall across the street.
Others pointed out negatives like the lack of a poker room and issues with the minimum bets on blackjack and roulette. The location being out in Aurora is also a negative for some city-based traffic, as many in the inner parts of Chicago turn their nose up at a long haul to the western suburbs. But the location is also beneficial for people living in the surrounding areas.
Image credit: David Wilson/Flickr (license)
