Orland Hills lands OTB parlor
By STEVE METSCH smetsch@southtownstar.com December 20, 2011 3:28PM
Updated: January 22, 2012 8:13AM
Here they come, spinning down 159th Street.
The Illinois Racing Board on Tuesday approved a request by Arlington Park Racecourse LLC to open an off-track betting parlor in Orland Hills.
Arlington Park had filed the paperwork with the state to run the OTB in a planned restaurant at 9201 W. 159th St., where Hertz formerly had a car-rental location.
“This is a step in the right direction,” Orland Hills village administrator John Daly said.
The racing board awarded the concessionaires license to LaRocco Bros., who operate Fat Sam’s taverns in Lockport and Orland Park, Daly said. The same group runs an OTB at the Fat Sam’s in Lockport, Daly said.
He said the Orland Hills OTB is expected to help replace some of the tax revenue lost when a car dealership and Circuit City closed. The grand opening could be as early as June, Daly said.
Being on 159th Street is a plus, Daly said, noting the road is heavily traveled.
