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Illinois 'Vegas-Style' Harrah's Hits the Jackpot

``Harrah's says moving gambling off of riverboats is what caused the drastic increase in attendance and revenue, and several area casino competitors agree — and are ready to follow suit.

``While most other Illinois casinos in the wake of the terrorist attacks saw revenues decrease in October, Harrah's receipts for that month were up 36 percent to $28.5 million.

``As almost 100,000 more people walked through Harrah's doors than had the month before, 15 percent fewer went to cross-town rival Empress Joliet casino, where the gambling is still done on boats and where revenue was down in October by $2 million.

``And while the Harrah's numbers had leveled off by November (one competitor attributed the initial spike in business to an influx of "look-see customers"), Harrah's spokeswoman DeAnn Kelly said the revamped casino has already won a new group of customers.

``…Harrah's was the first to take advantage of 1999 legislation that approved `dockside gambling' and meant riverboat casinos no longer had to be boats.

``Although Harrah's new casino is still technically on the water of the DesPlaines River, it's built on two connected barges that are anchored to the shore and shielded from the river by a steel wall.

``…But Harrah's biggest selling point is now by far the one-level casino floor.

``…According to gaming industry lobbyist Susan Gouinlock, it's the rabid competition for gamblers that has prompted casinos throughout Illinois to construct or at least contemplate $100 million transformations to barge-based gaming.

```They're not doing this because they want to,' Gouinlock said. `They're doing it because they have to.'…"

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