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Chicago Casinos, Las Vegas, and the ANA

CoinosaurusCoinosaurus Posts: 9,614 ✭✭✭✭✭

The $445M Rivers Casino opens in Des Plaines in July. Just in time for the coin show.

For those unfamiliar with Chicago geography, the "River" will be closer to the coin show than most of the city of the Chicago.

Vegas was always thought of as a bad convention city because of the gambling thing.

Now, Illinois is poised to vastly expand its gambling presence as soon as the governor signs the bill currently on his desk.

If the ANA didn't realize all this before picking Chicago as a longterm convention site.........I would find that hard to believe.

Gambling is pretty much everywhere these days, so maybe it wasn't a deciding factor. It's just wierd that I haven't seen this discussed....until now.

Comments

  • WTCGWTCG Posts: 8,940 ✭✭✭
    Most of the ANA board does not believe Las Vegas is a bad convention city. It's the scattered close-minded few who are interfering with an ANA convention going to Las Vegas. The gambling issue is an issue the opponents of a Las Vegas convention have overblown and exploited to assist with their side of the argument.

    Casinos are everywhere nowadays and not a lot of places are very far from some form of legalized gaming. I am not familiar with The Rivers but it sounds like it'll be a great addition to the portfolio of entertainment options available for the attendees of the ANA convention.

    How close-minded can some of the old timers be? At ANA Sacramento I spent part of one evening having a discussion with a few ANA officers and governors about future fall convention locations. I suggested Washington DC and all but one person was thrilled with the idea. That one person who didn't like the Washington DC idea didn't want a show there because he recalled that Washington DC was a dangerous place...in the 1970's! Somebody had to remind him it's 2011.
    Follow me on Twitter @wtcgroup
    Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
  • tyler267tyler267 Posts: 1,233 ✭✭✭✭


    << <i>The $445M Rivers Casino opens in Des Plaines in July. Just in time for the coin show.

    For those unfamiliar with Chicago geography, the "River" will be closer to the coin show than most of the city of the Chicago.

    Vegas was always thought of as a bad convention city because of the gambling thing.

    Now, Illinois is poised to vastly expand its gambling presence as soon as the governor signs the bill currently on his desk.

    If the ANA didn't realize all this before picking Chicago as a longterm convention site.........I would find that hard to believe.

    Gambling is pretty much everywhere these days, so maybe it wasn't a deciding factor. It's just wierd that I haven't seen this discussed....until now. >>



    The Casino is really close. only a 5-10 minute cab ride.
  • halfcentmanhalfcentman Posts: 1,498 ✭✭✭


    << <i>The $445M Rivers Casino opens in Des Plaines in July. Just in time for the coin show.

    For those unfamiliar with Chicago geography, the "River" will be closer to the coin show than most of the city of the Chicago.

    Vegas was always thought of as a bad convention city because of the gambling thing.

    Now, Illinois is poised to vastly expand its gambling presence as soon as the governor signs the bill currently on his desk.

    If the ANA didn't realize all this before picking Chicago as a longterm convention site.........I would find that hard to believe.

    Gambling is pretty much everywhere these days, so maybe it wasn't a deciding factor. It's just wierd that I haven't seen this discussed....until now. >>



    As a former professional gambler and author on games of chance, I will look into playable games there. I will post results as an OT if I am allowed.
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 23,892 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'd be curious to know if the auction firms would bid as highly for the rights to a Vegas ANA. It seems to me that it might be difficult to get people to attend the night sessions, which could be detrimental to prices realized. And since the auction firms are a major source of income for the ANA conventions, this is a significant concern.
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • FredWeinbergFredWeinberg Posts: 5,714 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Considering that going to Downtown Chicago
    during the 10 days we are there will take about
    45 minutes/1 hour by car, and about 45 minutes
    by mass transit, I'm glad to hear that there will
    be some entertainment 10 minutes away.

    We'll have meetings to go to, and auctions, but
    I'm sure there's one or two nights I'd like to go
    to check out the Casino and entertainment.

    For the Central States show last month, a customer
    took me to Al Capone's Hideaway - a neat restaurant
    that served real good food - it was used by Capone
    and his men to 'get out of town' when the heat was
    put on him by the Chicago cops - I would go back there
    in a minute, EXCEPT that it took 1.5 hours to get there
    in the late afternoon/early evening, and 1 full hour to
    get back to Rosemont at 10:00 at night.

    After a full day at the show, I won't sit in a car for an
    hour plus, just to have dinner. It's a shame, because
    the place good.....
    Retired Collector & Dealer in Major Mint Error Coins & Currency since the 1960's.Co-Author of Whitman's "100 Greatest U.S. Mint Error Coins", and the Error Coin Encyclopedia, Vols., III & IV. Retired Authenticator for Major Mint Errors
    for PCGS. A 49+-Year PNG Member...A full numismatist since 1972, retired in 2022
  • ThePennyLadyThePennyLady Posts: 4,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I agree with Fred that it will be nice to have some entertainment within a reasonable distance of the show, not to mention that in my experience many casinos have very decent restaurants. So I am very glad to hear there will be a casino near the Chicago ANA - and will be very happy to check it out and report back!
    Charmy HarkerThe Penny Lady®
  • EagleEyeEagleEye Posts: 7,676 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great! Now I don't have to go out to Elgin.
    Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:
  • llafoellafoe Posts: 7,220 ✭✭
    One of my ex-wives lives in Chicago and my most recent ex-girlfriend lives in Chicago too... I might have better odds at the casino! image
    WANTED: Cincinnati Reds TEAM Cards
  • PawPaulPawPaul Posts: 5,845
    my ex-wife ran away with a Jockey to Elgin

    ................but I am voting the Casino will be to0 new and in tippy top form ;

    so shouldn't directly neg. effect the Show for a few years
  • llafoellafoe Posts: 7,220 ✭✭


    << <i>my ex-wife ran away with a Jockey to Elgin >>



    Can you fault her for wanting a taller man? image
    WANTED: Cincinnati Reds TEAM Cards
  • CoinosaurusCoinosaurus Posts: 9,614 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I'd be curious to know if the auction firms would bid as highly for the rights to a Vegas ANA. It seems to me that it might be difficult to get people to attend the night sessions, which could be detrimental to prices realized. And since the auction firms are a major source of income for the ANA conventions, this is a significant concern. >>



    Is that supposed to be a setup? The obvious rejoinder is that the auctions are just like gambling image
  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 31,499 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>
    If the ANA didn't realize all this before picking Chicago as a longterm convention site.........I would find that hard to believe.

    Gambling is pretty much everywhere these days, so maybe it wasn't a deciding factor. It's just wierd that I haven't seen this discussed....until now. >>



    C'mon.......a week ago nobody outside the group of unindicted co-conspirators we call our State Legislature knew that the fix was in on the gambling bill. They did this on a holiday weekend when nobody was looking. The ANA site was chosen how many months ago?????? Don't let the paranoids run your life like that.

    TD
    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • PonyExpress8PonyExpress8 Posts: 1,670 ✭✭✭
    I seriously doubt this was known. But is there going to be a poker room? image
    The End of the Line in the West.

    Website-Americana Rare Coin Inc
  • CoinosaurusCoinosaurus Posts: 9,614 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>C'mon.......a week ago nobody outside the group of unindicted co-conspirators we call our State Legislature knew that the fix was in on the gambling bill. They did this on a holiday weekend when nobody was looking. The ANA site was chosen how many months ago?????? Don't let the paranoids run your life like that.
    >>



    The Legislature action might have been hard to predict. Less hard to predict would be a nearly complete $445m casino construction project.
  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 31,499 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>C'mon.......a week ago nobody outside the group of unindicted co-conspirators we call our State Legislature knew that the fix was in on the gambling bill. They did this on a holiday weekend when nobody was looking. The ANA site was chosen how many months ago?????? Don't let the paranoids run your life like that.
    >>



    The Legislature action might have been hard to predict. Less hard to predict would be a nearly complete $445m casino construction project. >>



    As you say, gambling is pretty much everywhere these days. The opening of one more casino in a state with nine others is no big deal.
    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • BIGBEN7BIGBEN7 Posts: 393 ✭✭
    The National Money show in Pittsburgh will be great. They have a casino near Heinz Field and the Steelers will be playing that weekend at home.image
    image
  • coinsarefuncoinsarefun Posts: 21,664 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>One of my ex-wives lives in Chicago and my most recent ex-girlfriend lives in Chicago too... I might have better odds at the casino! image >>





    I wonder if they know each other?
  • GregLGregL Posts: 470


    << <i>How close-minded can some of the old timers be? At ANA Sacramento I spent part of one evening having a discussion with a few ANA officers and governors about future fall convention locations. I suggested Washington DC and all but one person was thrilled with the idea. That one person who didn't like the Washington DC idea didn't want a show there because he recalled that Washington DC was a dangerous place...in the 1970's! Somebody had to remind him it's 2011. >>



    I'm quite familiar with this happening with the ANA Board. I was looking forward to receiving my 25 year membership pin in my hometown (St. Louis) only to have the ANA Board move the convention 2-3 years beforehand. I've heard multiple stories including issues with convention center unions (which I believe) to concerns about the downtown area (which I didn't).

    I'm not thrilled with Rosemont (aka "Chicago") as a site for conventions each year. I understand WHY it was done (hotel booking requirements when signing with the convention center) but I find it about as sterile a location for a convention as possible. When I am on the board over the next two years, I'd like to see what other locations in the country can provide the same facilities without tying the ANA into heavy hotel guarantees. I have to think it is more than just Rosemont.

    Greg Lyon
    ANA Board of Governors 2011-2013
    Greg Lyon, ANA Board of Governors 2011-2017 -- The views represented here are my own personal opinions and do not represent those of the American Numismatic Association.
  • dragondragon Posts: 4,548 ✭✭
    <<< I'm not thrilled with Rosemont (aka "Chicago") as a site for conventions each year. I understand WHY it was done (hotel booking requirements when signing with the convention center) but I find it about as sterile a location for a convention as possible. >>>





    It's a COIN SHOW, don't people generally attend COIN SHOWS to buy, sell and trade coins?
  • llafoellafoe Posts: 7,220 ✭✭


    << <i><<< I'm not thrilled with Rosemont (aka "Chicago") as a site for conventions each year. I understand WHY it was done (hotel booking requirements when signing with the convention center) but I find it about as sterile a location for a convention as possible. >>>

    It's a COIN SHOW, don't people generally attend COIN SHOWS to buy, sell and trade coins? >>



    Interesting concept... I've never thought about it in that manner before! image
    WANTED: Cincinnati Reds TEAM Cards
  • GregLGregL Posts: 470


    << <i>It's a COIN SHOW, don't people generally attend COIN SHOWS to buy, sell and trade coins? >>



    Yes, but considering the bourse is open about 8 hours a day and you sleep another 8 hours a day, most people like options on what to do the remaining time.

    Have you been to Rosemont? There are few, if any, inexpensive restaurants in the area. Dealers (who can claim tax deductions on expenses) may not mind, but collectors don't have that luxury.

    Greg Lyon
    ANA Board of Governors 2011-2013
    Greg Lyon, ANA Board of Governors 2011-2017 -- The views represented here are my own personal opinions and do not represent those of the American Numismatic Association.
  • CoinosaurusCoinosaurus Posts: 9,614 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>....I find it about as sterile a location for a convention as possible.

    Greg Lyon
    ANA Board of Governors 2011-2013 >>



    Me too. And I live here. I'd rather go to Boston or Baltimore.

    All that said, I would like to give a big shoutout to the Chicago Coin Club who is working very hard to make this a great convention. Too bad they don't have more to work with image
  • stevekstevek Posts: 27,582 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Most of the ANA board does not believe Las Vegas is a bad convention city. It's the scattered close-minded few who are interfering with an ANA convention going to Las Vegas. The gambling issue is an issue the opponents of a Las Vegas convention have overblown and exploited to assist with their side of the argument.

    Casinos are everywhere nowadays and not a lot of places are very far from some form of legalized gaming. I am not familiar with The Rivers but it sounds like it'll be a great addition to the portfolio of entertainment options available for the attendees of the ANA convention.

    How close-minded can some of the old timers be? At ANA Sacramento I spent part of one evening having a discussion with a few ANA officers and governors about future fall convention locations. I suggested Washington DC and all but one person was thrilled with the idea. That one person who didn't like the Washington DC idea didn't want a show there because he recalled that Washington DC was a dangerous place...in the 1970's! Somebody had to remind him it's 2011. >>



    <<< close-minded few >>>

    Why detract from a great convention with the shadow of gambling addiction all around it outside? Yes, many conventions are held in Las Vegas to increase visitors because the visitors can write off a gambling vacation as a business expense...but in my view the ANA Convention doesn't need a sordid city like Las Vegas to attract visitors.

    Don't you think the fun and excitement of a great hobby and numerous coins is attraction enough without gambling and legalized prostitution? Sorry, but I would have to say that your viewpoint is close-minded.
  • BarryBarry Posts: 10,100 ✭✭✭
    If you don't want to gamble, don't. Am I missing something?


  • << <i>Yes, many conventions are held in Las Vegas to increase visitors because the visitors can write off a gambling vacation as a business expense... >>



    Las Vegas is the king of conventions, but not because everyone can write off a gambling vacation though. You need huge, tailored, infrastructure to support this mass of conventions that Las Vegas does, something even NY, Chicago and LA lack in direct comparison to Las Vegas. That being said, not everyone may enjoy going to conventions there (I myself have no issues there). If you don't want to gamble, you don't have to.



    << <i>Don't you think the fun and excitement of a great hobby and numerous coins is attraction enough without gambling and legalized prostitution? >>



    Actually, prostitution is illegal in Nevada's Clark County (Las Vegas). Same for Reno, too.

    -app
  • Gear up for $20 dollar parking. image


  • << <i>
    Have you been to Rosemont? There are few, if any, inexpensive restaurants in the area. Dealers (who can claim tax deductions on expenses) may not mind, but collectors don't have that luxury.

    Greg Lyon
    ANA Board of Governors 2011-2013 >>




    Greg,
    I completely agree...11 days in Rosemont sounds like the worst time of my entire life. We're not even close to Chicago...I wish the ANA had asked people if they really wanted to be in Chicago for 4 years...Even Schaumburg would have been better...as a dealer, the expenses are still insane and we'd like to have something to do for 10 nights...
  • secondrepublicsecondrepublic Posts: 2,619 ✭✭✭
    Rosemont is right next to Chicago. Look on a map. By the way, you don't need to go to downtown Chicago (the Loop or Michigan Avenue) to find great restaurants and things to do. There's tons of the stuff on the north side (AKA, the space in between Rosemont and Lake Michigan). For 99% of the people visiting, I can pretty much guarantee there's going to be a lot more going on here than where you came from. image
    "Men who had never shown any ability to make or increase fortunes for themselves abounded in brilliant plans for creating and increasing wealth for the country at large." Fiat Money Inflation in France, Andrew Dickson White (1912)
  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 31,499 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i><<< I'm not thrilled with Rosemont (aka "Chicago") as a site for conventions each year. I understand WHY it was done (hotel booking requirements when signing with the convention center) but I find it about as sterile a location for a convention as possible. >>>





    It's a COIN SHOW, don't people generally attend COIN SHOWS to buy, sell and trade coins? >>



    Actually, it's a CONVENTION that happens to include a large coin show as one of its many events.

    TD
    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
  • CoinosaurusCoinosaurus Posts: 9,614 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>
    It's a COIN SHOW, don't people generally attend COIN SHOWS to buy, sell and trade coins?
    >>



    The ANA is a little bit different. More of a social thing. Yes, there is lots of biz conducted, but there's more to it than that. So the restaurants and nighttime ambiance are important. Roesmont is severely lacking in that category, and what's worse is that getting to a nice spot from there is horribly time consuming at the dinner hour. So what you are left with is the expense account places which are nice enough, but don't really convey the local flavor. And don't even think about walking from most of the restaurants there to your hotel, that's not going to happen. The area is not walkable. Not the case in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston, NYC, etc.

    No doubt the ANA will watch the reaction closely this year and hopefully plan accordingly. I admit to being a food snob, and if the conventioneers are satisfied with the boilerplate dineries in Rosemont, more power to them.
  • GregLGregL Posts: 470


    << <i>Rosemont is right next to Chicago. Look on a map. By the way, you don't need to go to downtown Chicago (the Loop or Michigan Avenue) to find great restaurants and things to do. There's tons of the stuff on the north side (AKA, the space in between Rosemont and Lake Michigan). For 99% of the people visiting, I can pretty much guarantee there's going to be a lot more going on here than where you came from. image >>



    Except if you don't have a car, there are very few options in the area right around the convention center -- especially inexpensive ones. For out of town collectors who fly in, local eating options are expensive or non-existant.

    Greg Lyon
    ANA Board of Governors 2011-2013
    Greg Lyon, ANA Board of Governors 2011-2017 -- The views represented here are my own personal opinions and do not represent those of the American Numismatic Association.
  • WTCGWTCG Posts: 8,940 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>
    Have you been to Rosemont? There are few, if any, inexpensive restaurants in the area. Dealers (who can claim tax deductions on expenses) may not mind, but collectors don't have that luxury.

    Greg Lyon
    ANA Board of Governors 2011-2013 >>




    Greg,
    I completely agree...11 days in Rosemont sounds like the worst time of my entire life. We're not even close to Chicago...I wish the ANA had asked people if they really wanted to be in Chicago for 4 years...Even Schaumburg would have been better...as a dealer, the expenses are still insane and we'd like to have something to do for 10 nights... >>



    As much as I dislike having the ANA conventions in Rosemont, I'd rather have Rosemont than Schaumburg. At least Rosemont is connected to downtown Chicago by the "L" train. Schaumburg isn't connected to anywhere.

    Advertising the ANA convention in Chicago when it's actually in Rosemont is sort of like getting the gristle when you've ordered the steak. It's not really Chicago, it's the knockoff Chicago.
    Follow me on Twitter @wtcgroup
    Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
  • GregLGregL Posts: 470


    << <i>As much as I dislike having the ANA conventions in Rosemont, I'd rather have Rosemont than Schaumburg. At least Rosemont is connected to downtown Chicago by the "L" train. Schaumburg isn't connected to anywhere.

    Advertising the ANA convention in Chicago when it's actually in Rosemont is sort of like getting the gristle when you've ordered the steak. It's not really Chicago, it's the knockoff Chicago. >>



    I completely agree with both points.

    Greg Lyon
    ANA Board of Governors 2011-2013
    Greg Lyon, ANA Board of Governors 2011-2017 -- The views represented here are my own personal opinions and do not represent those of the American Numismatic Association.
  • dragondragon Posts: 4,548 ✭✭
    The Yellow Pages lists something like over 1000 restaurants in Rosemont alone. In addition, downtown Chicago is maybe a 25 - 30 minute drive and you have every restaurant conceivable including world class museums, the Sox and Cubs, more nightclubs then you could visit in a lifetime, the lakefront, the Magnificent Mile, 5 or 6 different casinos all within 30 - 40 minutes (including a brand new casino opening just a few blocks from the convention center) and the list goes on and on.
  • GregLGregL Posts: 470


    << <i>The Yellow Pages lists something like over 1000 restaurants in Rosemont alone. In addition, downtown Chicago is maybe a 25 - 30 minute drive and you have every restaurant conceivable including world class museums, the Sox and Cubs, more nightclubs then you could visit in a lifetime, the lakefront, the Magnificent Mile, 5 or 6 different casinos all within 30 - 40 minutes (including a brand new casino opening just a few blocks from the convention center) and the list goes on and on. >>



    But if you are a collector from out of town who does not rent a car (and pay $20 per night parking fees at the local hotels), then your options are much more limited. Within walking distance of the convention center there are few restaurant choices -- and none under $10-15.

    Yes, the City of Chicago has plenty to offer -- but most of that is a 45 minute subway ride away.

    Greg Lyon
    ANA Board of Governors 2011-2013

    The views here represent my personal opinion, not that of the American Numismatic Association.
    Greg Lyon, ANA Board of Governors 2011-2017 -- The views represented here are my own personal opinions and do not represent those of the American Numismatic Association.
  • GregLGregL Posts: 470


    << <i> 5 or 6 different casinos all within 30 - 40 minutes (including a brand new casino opening just a few blocks from the convention center) >>



    I google mapped the new casino. It's 1.4 miles from the convention center. Not exactly what I'd call walking distance (or "a few blocks").

    Greg Lyon
    ANA Board of Governors 2011-2013

    The views here represent my personal opinion, not an official view of the American Numismatic Association
    Greg Lyon, ANA Board of Governors 2011-2017 -- The views represented here are my own personal opinions and do not represent those of the American Numismatic Association.

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