At least four casino firms reportedly responded to a recent informal request for information (RFI) exercise that Chicago launched as part of its campaign to bring a large gambling-friendly resort to the United States’ third largest city.

According to a Wednesday report from the Las Vegas Sun newspaper, the companies that took part in this intelligence gathering process included Wynn Resorts Limited as well as MGM Resorts International and its MGM Growth Properties real estate investment trust. The Las Vegas-headquartered concerns were purportedly asked to respond to a number of general questions including where such a development should be located in addition to how much land would be required and the duration of construction.

Fertile ground:

The newspaper reported that Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot (pictured) revealed that her administration is eager to bring a Las Vegas-style casino resort to the giant Illinois city following the 2019 passage of enabling legislation but has yet to agree a concrete timeline or any specific host site. However, the Democratic politician purportedly also explained that such a venue would form part of a larger entertainment complex seeking to attract visitors from across a metropolitan area that is already home to over nine million people.

Coming consideration:

Moving forward and the newspaper reported that Chicago now intends to launch a more official RFI process from next month so as to be able to premiere a ‘world-class’ casino resort for ‘The Windy City’ by the end of the decade. Lightfoot purportedly moreover declared that she would like at least some of the coming operating candidates to be headquartered in Las Vegas as the Nevada city ‘is the epicenter of all things gaming in the world’ and serves as ‘the gold standard of casino gaming.’

Rival runners:

The Las Vegas Review-Journal newspaper used its Tuesday report on this matter to divulge that Hard Rock International Incorporated is furthermore thought to have participated in Chicago’s recent casual RFI exercise. This company is an entity of the federally-recognized Seminole Tribe of Florida and could purportedly soon join a club of candidates that may include the likes of Penn National Gaming Incorporated and the newly-enlarged Caesars Entertainment Incorporated seeking the right to build and run a casino resort in the Cook County city.

Added benefits:

The winner of the Chicago area casino license would also reportedly be given permission to run slots within city’s pair of international airports, O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport, with any resultant tax revenues being earmarked for the local fire and police pension funds. The selected operator would moreover purportedly have the right to open and run a temporary gambling-friendly venue for up to 36 months while its more permanent facility is being built.

Lightfoot reportedly stated…

“I think we’ve got a tremendous amount to offer and particularly for some of the more experienced gaming interests that do have Las Vegas as their home address.”