FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media
Contacts:
Dakota
Shultz, AGENCY 360
(312)
371-4104, dakota@AgencyThreeSixty.com
HAWTHORNE RACE COURSE
HIRES 25-YEAR GAMING VETERAN AS CASINO CEO
Kevin Kline to Lead Casino
Development, Operations as Part of Race Track’s Expansion Under
New Illinois Law
September
26, 2019 (Chicago, IL) -- In anticipation of its licensure as part of Illinois’
recent casino and gaming expansion, Hawthorne Race Course has hired Kevin Kline
(LinkedIn profile) as its new CEO of Gaming. The 110-year old family-owned and
operated business applied to the Illinois Gaming Board for a casino gaming
license on August 26th before a 60-day deadline established by the
new gaming law which was signed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker at the end of
June. The Gaming Board is expected to rule on the application before the end of
the year.
“The
integration of casino-style gaming at Illinois race tracks is a tremendous
opportunity that comes with unique challenges and responsibilities,” said Tim
Carey, CEO and President of Hawthorne Casino & Race Course. “Our goal is to
develop one of the nation’s premiere gaming experiences and an all-star
executive team will be crucial. Kevin has a proven track record of successful
ground-up developments of new casinos and multi-property management including
at race tracks, plus direct experience with gaming in the Chicagoland market.
We’re very excited for the Gaming Board to know Kevin as part of our team.”
Kline has
significant experience in developing and operating large-scale, multi-faceted
casino and entertainment businesses. He was most recently the Chief Operating
Officer and General Manager of Resorts World Catskills Casino and Monticello
Raceway for Empire Resorts in New York. Prior to that role he led the opening
of the casino market in Ohio on behalf of Caesars Entertainment with the $450M
development and operations of Horseshoe Cincinnati with additional oversight of
Turfway Park, another historic thoroughbred race
track. Kline also oversaw the $500M redevelopment of Horseshoe Casino Hammond
in Northwest Indiana in 2008.
“Casinos
thrive when they place customer service, integrity and excitement at the
forefront of the business,” said Kline. “Hawthorne has championed these core
values for over a century and undoubtedly that’s what has sustained their business
and reputation in spite of a lack of casino-style gaming. That’s a true
testament to the Carey Family’s commitment to the Illinois racing industry. I’m
humbled and honored to be a part of that legacy now.”
As part of
its application for a casino license, Hawthorne is planning a $450M
redevelopment of its 113-acre property on the edge of Chicago in suburban
Stickney, Illinois. The development will also include a hotel, food hall, sports book and entertainment theater.
About
Hawthorne Race Course
Founded in
1891, Hawthorne Race Course is the oldest sporting venue in Illinois for
America’s original sport: horseracing. For more than a century, the 4th
generation family-owned and operated business has hosted racing on the outskirts
of the City as “Chicago’s hometown track,” which features traditional dirt
racing and the 2nd longest homestretch in North America. Currently, Hawthorne
is the only race course in the nation to host both Thoroughbred (Spring, Fall, Winter) and Standardbred racing (Summer), and
operates Illinois' largest network of off-track betting parlors. For more
information visit HawthorneRaceCourse.com.
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