Chicago Sun-Times: CASINO NEWS AND NOTES

announcing it will begin charging admission due to the Illinois gaming and admission tax increases that went into effect on July 1. Admission rates vary according to the level of the players' Total Rewards memberships. In addition, Harrah's Joliet has discontinued its breakfast buffet and room service in its hotel. The Winning Streaks Stadium Cafe no longer will serve lunch Friday through Sunday and will be closed evenings on Wednesday and Thursday.

The letter to customers from senior vice president and general manager Michael St. Pierre said, "These painful changes represent our best effort at managing through this high tax environment." It also said of the food service changes, "We will not continue to subsidize money-losing areas of our business."

Earlier this month, Hollywood Casino in Aurora announced it would charge for admission, parking and soft drinks in the casino, and Empress in Joliet began charging for soft drinks. Harrah's, Hollywood and Empress all have petitioned the Illinois Gaming Board to allow shorter operating hours, saying it is no longer profitable to keep the casinos open during low-traffic hours.

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