“The ramp-up process was fairly vigorous in part because we had to take local team members to work with Penn Interactive actually runs the program,” Moore said. In fact, he even admitted based on how much further along his Hollywood counterpart in Joliet was in terms of sportsbook amenities, it made more sense to think Joliet would serve that role. When Hollywood Aurora took its first sports bets last August, concluding a five-week sprint to be operational, Moore did not know his casino would be Barstool’s tether.

Stops and starts in fits and bursts Photo courtesy Jonathan Lamas, Hollywood Casino Aurora Over burgers, Moore and Patel both recounted the challenges they faced and observations they’ve made as they continue to navigate the still-evolving gaming landscape. Bettors who want to play and parlay with Dave Portnoy must make the drive to Aurora - approximately 40 miles west of downtown Chicago - to complete the in-person registration required to obtain mobile access. The last item on their laundry list has taken on added importance as Hollywood Aurora is the official land-based tether of the Barstool Sportsbook mobile sports betting app in Illinois. Repurposed an inactive buffet area to make it a sports bar worthy of the Barstool Sports brand to complement its sportsbook? Done and up and running. Shuffled employees into different gaming areas to help offset furloughs? Check. Opening at reduced hours and limited capacity? Yes, with the latter still ongoing.

Prolonged casino closures? Weathered two of them. Pick a challenging business scenario over the past year-plus due to COVID-19, and chances are Hollywood Casino Aurora Vice President and General Manager Greg Moore and Sportsbook Manager Hemal Patel have faced it head-on.

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