Riverboat faces huge fine

Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2001 | 9:24 a.m.

CHICAGO -- The Illinois Gaming Board proposed a $7.2 million fine -- the largest in its history -- against the Grand Victoria casino on Tuesday, alleging the casino did business with four companies board investigators say have mob ties.

Grand Victoria is the highest-grossing casino in Illinois, averaging between $1.2 million and $1.5 million in revenues each day. Donna More, a lawyer for the riverboat, said officials were "shocked" by the Gaming Board's claims and plan to appeal to an administrative law judge.

Grand Victoria is a 50-50 partnership between Mandalay Resort Group of Las Vegas and Hyatt Hotels Corp. of Chicago. Mandalay officials could not be reached for comment.