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The Ilitch family, best known for building the Little Caesars pizza brand and owning several major Detroit sports franchises, is expanding its presence in the casino industry through a newly formed gaming division and two significant acquisition agreements.
Ilitch Companies announced the creation of Ilitch Gaming, a platform that will manage the family’s gaming, hospitality, and entertainment interests while pursuing future growth opportunities. The new entity will oversee existing casino holdings and serve as the foundation for further expansion, pending regulatory approvals.
Alongside the launch of Ilitch Gaming, the company revealed agreements to acquire Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort in D’Iberville, Mississippi, and purchase the remaining ownership interest in Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The company already owns 50% of Ocean Casino Resort and seeks full control through the proposed transaction. Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.
MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit, which has been a centerpiece of the family’s gaming operations for decades, will also become part of the new gaming platform.
New Structure Signals Expansion Plans
Chris Ilitch, chief executive officer of Ilitch Companies, will serve as chairperson of Ilitch Gaming. Bruce Dall has been named vice chairperson, while John Policicchio will take on the roles of chief executive officer and chief development officer.
The formation of the gaming division marks a new phase in a business empire that extends beyond food service into sports, entertainment, real estate, hospitality, and gaming.
“My mother Marian Ilitch’s vision for MotorCity Casino Hotel and our success in Detroit over nearly three decades is the inspiration for what comes next,” said Chris Ilitch according to Bloomberg. “The formation of Ilitch Gaming marks a defining new chapter in the evolution of our gaming and hospitality business. We remain committed to creating memorable experiences for guests, supporting responsible gaming, and serving as a positive economic force in the communities where we operate.”
The company said the new structure will unify its gaming-related assets under one organization while creating opportunities for future acquisitions and development projects.
Marian Ilitch, who co-founded Little Caesars with her late husband Mike Ilitch, played a key role in establishing the family’s presence in commercial gaming. She became the sole owner of MotorCity Casino in 2005 and later oversaw a $300 million renovation and expansion project completed in 2008.
Today, Marian Ilitch has an estimated net worth of $6.6 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Acquisitions Expand Reach Beyond Detroit
The planned acquisition of Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort will give Ilitch Gaming a presence in a third gaming market. Located on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast in D’Iberville, the resort features a 300-room hotel, more than 800 slot and video poker machines, 30 table games, and a sportsbook.
Company executives described Scarlet Pearl as an established property with a strong reputation among customers and within the local community.
“We are excited to build on the success of MotorCity Casino Hotel and Ocean Casino Resort and welcome Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort to the Ilitch Gaming portfolio,” said John Policicchio. “Scarlet Pearl has built something special over the past decade, and we look forward to supporting its continued success. Our focus is straightforward: support great teams, deliver exceptional guest experiences, invest in the communities we serve, and responsibly grow the business over time.”
Scarlet Pearl Chief Executive Officer LuAnn Pappas also expressed confidence in the proposed ownership transition. “We are incredibly proud of what our team has built over the past decade and grateful for the support we have received from our guests across the Gulf Coast. We believe Ilitch Gaming shares our commitment to hospitality, service, and community, and we are confident Scarlet Pearl is positioned for continued success.”
Building on a Long Gaming History
The Ilitch family entered the casino business in 1999 with the opening of MotorCity Casino in Detroit. The project was developed through a partnership with Mandalay Resort Group at a cost of $525 million. In 2005, Marian Ilitch acquired full ownership after MGM Resorts’ acquisition of Mandalay led to regulatory concerns because MGM already operated another Detroit casino.
Following years of success in Detroit, the family expanded into Atlantic City in 2021 by purchasing a 50% interest in Ocean Casino Resort for $175 million. At the time, the property was emerging from a turbulent period that included financial struggles and bankruptcy proceedings after opening at a reported cost of $2.4 billion under its former name, Revel.
Since the investment, Ilitch Companies said it has worked with Ocean’s management team to support capital improvements, operational enhancements, and business growth. Industry observers have noted that Ocean has become one of Atlantic City’s strongest-performing casino properties during that period.
Chris Ilitch has led Ilitch Companies since 2004, overseeing businesses that include Little Caesars, the MLB’s Detroit Tigers, the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings, and other real estate and entertainment ventures. The family’s Olympia Development division is also working with billionaire Stephen Ross’s Related Companies on the $1.5 billion District Detroit residential and commercial development project in downtown Detroit.