HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., April 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Gold Rush Amusements, Inc., the third largest video gaming terminal operator in Illinois, announced today a settlement with the Illinois Gaming Board , including dismissal of a 2019 disciplinary complaint without any finding of wrongdoing.
The company will also pay a $30,000 fine for disparaging text messages unrelated to the disciplinary complaint that Mr. Heidner sent in July 2019 to an adversary in litigation.
Gold Rush denied the allegations made in the disciplinary complaint and contested the request to revoke Gold Rush’s terminal operator license.
Mr. Heidner, who was suspicious but unaware of the transaction details at the time, contends that he was merely attempting to elicit the financial details of the deal when he engaged in conversation later that same month with Dan Fischer, principal of ICSC, which owns and operates the Dotty’s chain of video gaming cafes.
“The settlement vindicates Gold Rush and Mr. Heidner on the allegations that were charged in the disciplinary complaint,” said Patrick M.
In pending litigation relating to the November 2018 transaction, it was revealed that a Gold Rush competitor, Midwest SRO, had paid more than $44.5 million to the owners of the Laredo establishments before being awarded contracts with them to replace Gold Rush.
Gold Rush contends that the transaction was a “sham” designed to circumvent gaming laws prohibiting inducements and integrated ownership of terminal operators and establishments.
“We appreciate the significant time spent by the IGB in resolving this matter in a fair and equitable manner, especially during a period when the IGB is extremely busy and has many demands for its attention, yet is understaffed.
The IGB today also approved a separate agreement providing that the agency will rescind an order directing Gold Rush and its Director of Operations, Ronald Bolger, to economically disassociate.