While other suburban casinos are moving to new locations, Elgin’s Grand Victoria Casino is not only staying put but unveiling a new $4 million renovation that adds a Caesars Sportsbook and a World Series of Poker Room to its downtown operation.
“We’re very excited to move forward with this. We hope to continue to refine and enhance customers’ experience,” said Rolando Guerrero, Grand Victoria’s senior vice president and general manager.
Caesars Entertainment purchased the Grand Victoria in 2020 and is “focused on the guest experience, and we’re trying to attract new business and new players,” Guerrero said. “We see these additions as a win-win for our property. At the end of the day, we will be a more robust, well-rounded business because of how we are positioning ourselves.”
The 2,100 square-foot Sportsbook area and the World Series of Poker Room, with 4,400 square feet of space and 20 poker tables, are located in the spot where the Indulge Kitchen Buffet had been located, he said.
The new space includes a bar equipped with bar top gaming, 20 large screen LED TVs airing different sporting events, and a lounge area where players can enjoy a drink or a meal from the Slice of Pizzeria and Pasta Crave Deli.
Sportsbook has three betting windows and four self-service betting kiosks. Customers can bet on baseball, football, soccer, hockey or any other sporting event.
Grand Victoria’s poker tables are set up for all skill levels, from $1/$3 No-Limit Hold’em to high stakes games. The current jackpot is about $90,000, but has swelled to as much as $500,000, Guerrero said.
“There are some big dollars being paid out,” he said.
Next month, Grand Victoria will host the first World Series of Poker event in Illinois, Guerrero said. “We’re excited about that news getting out there,” he said.
Sports betting and poker are two segments of gaming that have grown at every property Caesars owns, Guerrero said. Grand Victoria predicts sports betting will increase by at least 10% and poker by about 22% growth thanks to the two new amenities, he said.
Poker has become popular due to the “Moneymaker” effect, Guerrero said, referencing Chris Moneymaker, who quickly went from being an amateur poker player to a champion.
“He was just a regular player who came out of nowhere in 2003 and won the World Series of Poker. To see someone could win this out of nowhere opened the industry up to everyone,” he said.
The company is seeking ways to “better leverage our footprint, enhance the experience for our customers and refurbish (the space they have),” Guerrero said.
“Like any business, we want to thrive here,” he said. “But at the same time, we recognized it’s got to come with a commitment to invest and investment dollars. Our parent company has come through in a big way to bring this to life.”
Staying competitive in an Illinois gaming market that is “evolving just about every time you turn your head” is the goal, he said, and they’re always looking for ways to add new gaming experiences.
While competitor Hollywood Casino plans to move its Aurora and Joliet casinos to new locations — the former is leaving its downtown spot for a higher traffic area near Interstate 88 and Farnsworth Avenue — Grand Victoria won’t be going anywhere, Guerrero said.
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“We are committed to the city of Elgin, to our region,” he said. “We are happy with the support and the assistance we’ve gotten through the community, and we hope to continue those relationships going forward.”
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.