Hollywood Casinos Expand

Hollywood Casino Corp., the Dallas-based gaming company that owns two riverboat casinos in the far west suburban town of Aurora, has reconfigured and expanded the properties, including the addition of a 4,000 sf barge. The move, according to the company, significantly expands the casinosÕ “pasenger capacity” – that is, the number of people the casinos can accommodate.

The company reconfigured by moving the two riverboats the same side of a land-based pavillion on the Fox River, and then connecting them with the barge. For the first time, casino-goers can move freely between the two casinos. “With our new facility, we look forward to generating significant additional earnings,” says Edward T. Pratt III, HollywoodÕs president and COO.

Ultimately, Hollywood wants to build a land-based casino in Aurora to replace the riverboats. This plan, however, is pending litigation the will decide the constitutionality of the Illinois legislation authorizing such facilities.