The Gold Standard for Video Gaming in Chicago
A slot operator built for high-performing operators who expect more than average results.
Backed by real-world experience operating one of the nation’s largest gaming routes.
“It’s a lifeline for a lot of our restaurants and bars and taverns.” — Ald. Anthony Beale
— Raise the Bar —
Chicago Taverns
Join Monte Cristo Gaming and…
…Become the House
Built on Experience.
Defined by Standards.
Built for the Best.
Monte Cristo Gaming was founded by industry executive, Chris Schink, and is built on more than 20 years of gaming, hospitality, and operational leadership experience.
As a founding member of Prairie State Gaming in 2012, Chris helped grow the Illinois Video Gaming industry into America’s largest distributed gaming operation.
Our selective partnership model is not built around volume—it is built around accountability.
We believe exceptional service, operational execution, and long-term performance can only be achieved through intentional partnerships where expectations can be consistently exceeded.
By focusing exclusively on high-performing establishments that align with our standards and vision, Monte Cristo Gaming is able to deliver a level of attention, responsiveness, and player experience that traditional route operators often cannot match.
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Chris Schink Founder
Become the House.
Schedule Leadership Discussion
“The future leaders of Chicago gaming are being built right now.
The operators that understand player psychology, hospitality, product differentiation, and execution will take customers directly from the casinos.
I’ve spent more than two decades building gaming businesses around a simple philosophy: if you control the experience, you can own the player.”
— Chris Schink
Founder, Monte Cristo Gaming
Learn the essential elements that differentiate successful Video Gaming establishments from average.
Small operational details create massive differences in player retention.
“Chicago is about to expand what is already America’s biggest Video Gaming Market…”
Illinois VGT Market Overview
America’s Largest Distributed Gaming Market
Chicago is not entering an experimental category when approving Video Gaming this year.
It is entering a mature, multi-billion-dollar hospitality market that generated more than $3.1B in Net Terminal Income in 2025 across Illinois.
The operators that understand atmosphere, player retention, game mix, and operational execution will materially outperform the market average.
Illinois has quietly built the largest distributed gaming network in the United States. Chicago hospitality operators on the forefront can become the nations highest performing slot operators.
Monte Cristo Gaming will help you own the player experience.
Become the House.
With immense opportunity comes immense competition.
In the parity product world of “do I play down the street or at the casino” maximizing your product is essential.
Not Every Location Qualifies
Built for the Best.
We intentionally limit our partners so every location receives exceptional attention, responsiveness, and operational support.
We Promise the best service and we back all our promises.
We guarantee we execute our promise due to our narrow scope of exceptional partners.
Proven Performance
Built on more than two decades of gaming, hospitality, and operational leadership experience at one of Illinois’ highest-performing gaming routes.
Our leadership team helped build and operate one of the state’s most successful distributed gaming operations while managing VGT performance for major casino companies.
We understand how casinos attract, activate, retain, and migrate players — because we operated inside that environment for years.
Monte Cristo brings that same level of casino-grade operational strategy, player engagement, and performance optimization to distributed gaming — helping establishments compete more effectively against large-scale casino operators.
Selective Partnerships
We partner with a limited number of high-quality establishments—ensuring every location receives dedicated attention and optimized performance.
Location-Level Game Optimization
Every location behaves differently — and game performance should reflect it.
Unlike operators that deploy standardized settings across every establishment — and most do exactly that — we optimize game settings, machine mix, and player experience based on the specific dynamics of each location.
Combined with thoughtful layout, lighting, and operational strategy, this creates stronger engagement, longer play sessions, and improved long-term performance.
Weekly Payments
Don’t wait to get paid.
Monte Cristo Gaming provides weekly direct deposits, giving you fast, predictable access to your earnings—unlike operators with delayed payment cycles.
Start your week flush with Monte Cristo Gaming.
Loyalty & Rewards
Top players expect to be recognized—and rewarded accordingly.
Our proprietary loyalty platform gives you full ownership of the player relationship, delivering returns that outperform traditional casino programs.
From seamless tablet-based check-ins to machine-level tracking, players earn rewards effortlessly while engaging with your location more frequently.
The result: stronger retention, higher spend per visit, and a loyalty experience that keeps your best players playing local.
Monte Cristo Cruises
Our invitation-only cruise program delivers exclusive, high-value experiences tied directly to play—driving repeat visits, higher spend, and long-term loyalty.
Beyond rewards, the program creates a shared player experience—where your top patrons win together, travel together, and build a deeper connection to your location.
The result: stronger retention, increased frequency, and a player community that chooses your establishment first.
Cashless Gaming
Modern players expect speed and convenience.
We are developing a secure, compliant cashless solution that allows players to fund and redeem directly from their mobile devices—eliminating friction and increasing time on device.
Security is a critical concern in cash-heavy environments, particularly in major metropolitan markets. Our solution is designed to enhance both operational security and the overall player experience.
The result: faster play, higher engagement, and a more modern, enjoyable gaming environment.
Pending regulatory approval.
Marketing & Performance Dashboards
Operate with the same level of insight as a top-tier casino.
Our proprietary dashboards—built on enterprise-grade infrastructure—provide real-time visibility into performance, player behavior, and weekly bank deposits.
With data-driven insights at your fingertips, you can optimize marketing, identify opportunities, and continuously improve results—never settling for “average.”
Get in Touch
We offer three primary connection topics to help you with your video gaming journey.
General Video Gaming Inquiry
In-person Site Assessment
Virtual Revenue Projection Breakdown