Casino Development at Hawthorne Race Course
Tim Carey, president of Hawthorne Race Course, addressed the Illinois Racing Board on September 18, reaffirming his commitment to establishing a casino at the suburban Chicago venue. This initiative has faced delays since being authorized in 2019.
Financial Challenges and Future Plans
During his testimony at the board’s annual dates hearing, Carey revealed that last year, Hawthorne had believed it secured financing for the project. Unfortunately, an internal issue with an investor forced them to reassess their options.
“We hoped to announce our project last year,” Carey mentioned. “We faced an internal challenge with our investor, resulting in us having to seek new funding opportunities.” He expressed confidence that they are in a strong position now and expects to provide updates by the fourth quarter, aiming for a potential opening by late 2027.
The Importance of Casino Revenue
Chris Block, president of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, underscored the urgency of commencing casino construction, as horse owners and trainers are experiencing the repercussions of falling purses and fewer racing dates. “This year is extremely crucial,” Block stated. “We need rapid progress.”
Executive Director of ITHA, Dave McCaffrey, shared data reflecting other racing sectors’ reliance on gaming revenues to sustain purses. “Horse racing cannot thrive independently,” he emphasized, acknowledging the difficult reality many racing jurisdictions face without additional income, usually derived from a racino.
Hawthorne’s Long-standing Commitment
Carey passionately expressed the challenges faced by Hawthorne, owned by his family for 115 years, amidst competing financial interests. He highlighted their dedication to maintaining year-round housing and medical services for families tied to the racing community while also bearing the financial burden of charitable contributions, which were previously shared among several tracks.
Collaboration with Fairmount Park
Hawthorne has been collaborating with Fairmount Park on a 2026 live racing schedule aimed at minimizing overlap while accommodating the limited horse population and harness racing. Despite initial conflicts over key racing dates, a compromise was reached wherein Hawthorne will host 63 programs on Sundays and Thursdays, while Fairmount will run 57 dates on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Positive Developments and Reflections
Commissioner Marc Laino described the agreement as a “breath of fresh air” for the industry, with Board Chairman Daniel Beiser encouraging the success of this collaboration moving forward. Additionally, Fairmount Park, now under new ownership, reported increased attendance and a younger demographic since opening its temporary casino, celebrating its 100th anniversary on September 19 with the $250,000 St. Louis Derby.
Honoring Former Leadership
At the meeting’s conclusion, attendees paid tribute to the late former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar, known for his involvement as both an owner and breeder in horse racing, as well as for his support of the industry throughout his tenure.
