Illinois: Grand Victoria Casino debuts new Caesars Sportsbook and WSOP-branded poker room

Caesars’ Grand Victoria Casino Elgin, in Illinois, has opened its new Caesars Sportsbook and World Series of Poker Room. The amenities saw a grand opening celebration that featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday. The event included a special guest appearance by World Series of Poker Main Event Champion and Poker Hall of Fame inductee Chris Moneymaker.

“We are proud to officially open this luxurious space for sports and poker fans who visit our property,” said Rolando Guerrero, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Grand Victoria Casino Elgin. “We wanted to create a comfortable space where guests may enjoy sporting events and live poker in a well-appointed environment complete with world-class amenities.”

Rolando Guerrero

Through these openings, the destination adds more than 6,500 square feet of gaming space. The 2,100 square foot sportsbook features three betting windows and five self-service betting kiosks, providing sports fans “with the thrill of cash-deposit sports betting in person.” As for the 4,400 square foot poker room, the amenity boasts 20 poker tables. 

The new shared space features a full-service bar equipped with bartop gaming, twenty large-sceen LED TVs, and a lounge area where players can enjoy a drink and meal from The Slice Pizzeria & Pasta or Crave Deli. “The modern design offers an inviting, lounge-like space to enjoy sporting events and poker in a luxurious environment,” Caesars noted in a press release. The amenities are located in the spot where the Indulge Kitchen Buffet had been located.

Chris Moneymaker

Following the ribbon-cutting, Chris Moneymaker met with players, signed autographs and posed for photos before playing in a Shoot-Out Poker Tournament with a $25,000 prize pool and a $5,000 bounty. Grand Victoria Elgin is set to host its first WSOP Circuit Event Nov. 10-21. With a total of $1 million in guaranteed prize money at stake, WSOP ring event winners can also win seats in the 2023 Tournament of Champions in Las Vegas.

Caesars’ $4 million investment comes as other suburban casinos in Illinois move to new locations. Instead of taking that approach, the gaming and hospitality giant, which purchased the Grand Victoria in 2020, is seeking to improve guest experience and trying to attract new business and players through a slate of new additions.

Our brand new sportsbook at @GVC_Elgin has a full-service bar with 20 big-screen TVs and is the perfect place to watch the Bears on MNF tonight 🤩@CaesarsEnt | @CaesarsRewards pic.twitter.com/Gzy8sd3rxx

— Caesars Sportsbook (@CaesarsSports) October 24, 2022

“The opening of these new amenities is another step toward treating Illinois customers and sports fans like royalty,” said Eric Hession, President of Caesars Digital. “Following the launch of our upgraded Caesars Sportsbook app in the state last spring, it’s only fitting we bring a new Caesars Sportsbook retail location and World Series of Poker Room to Grand Victoria Elgin. We look forward to providing guests with more unforgettable experiences at this historic property.”

Sports betting and poker are two segments of gaming that have grown at every property Caesars owns, Guerrero told Elgin Courier-News. Grand Victoria predicts sports betting will increase by at least 10% and poker by about 22% thanks to the two new amenities.

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 — Guerrero confirmed to the cited source that Grand Victoria won’t be going anywhere. “We are committed to the city of Elgin, to our region,” he said.