--- title: "Little Caesars Owner Adds Gaming Division Ahead of Casino Purchase" description: "READ: The company that owns Little Caesars pizza, Ilitch Companies, formed a gaming division to manage its casinos, including an upcoming addition." author: "Grant Mitchell" date: "2026-06-19T01:28:34+03:00" url: "https://www.casino.com/news/industry/little-caesars-owner-adds-gaming-division-ahead-of-casino-purchase/" source: "https://instantly-lasting-parrot.edgecompute.app/news/industry/little-caesars-owner-adds-gaming-division-ahead-of-casino-purchase/" --- ## Key Takeaways - Ilitch began in 1959 when Little Caesars first opened - The company expanded into casino operations in 1999 - The to-be-purchased casino in Mississippi has slot machines, table games, a sportsbook, and more amenities What do casinos have in common with hot, cheesy pizzas? The answer used to be nothing. The parent entity of Little Caesars, Ilitch Companies, created a new gaming division that will oversee its casino operations, including a to-be-purchased facility in Mississippi. The new organization is known as Ilitch Gaming. The move further legitimizes the network’s casino business, which began in [Detroit, Michigan](https://www.casino.com/news/industry/two-children-froze-to-death-sitting-outside-of-detroit-casino/), in 1999. ## Little Caesars’ Ilitch adds casino business Ilitch Gaming will be entirely dedicated to overseeing Ilitch’s three casinos — [MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit](https://www.casino.com/news/legal/man-robbed-at-motorcity-casino-he-spit-blood-in-my-face/), Ocean Casino Resorts in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Scarlet Pearl Casino, which is in the process of being sold. The first order of business will be finalizing the purchase of the outstanding 50% stake in Ocean Casino from private equity group Luxor Capital, and entering a purchase agreement with carlet Pearl Casino. > “The formation of Ilitch Gaming marks a defining new chapter in the evolution of our gaming and hospitality business,” said Chris Ilitch, chairperson of Ilitch Gaming. “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.” He continued to say that the next stage of Ilitch as an entity carried out a family vision that was presented more than half a century ago. > “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,” he said. ## Expanding the company portfolio Ilitch Companies was founded by Mike and Marian Ilitch in 1959 when they launched their first Little Caesars location in Garden City, Michigan. As years went on, they expanded into sports, entertainment, and gaming. The company transformed into Ilitch Holdings, Inc. in 1999. In addition to being responsible for Little Caesars, its catchy “pizza, pizza” tagline, and several casinos, the family also owns the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, and Fox Theatre. Its first gaming endeavor occurred when the Ilitches partnered with Las Vegas-based Mandalay Resort Group in a $525 million deal, which resulted in the creation of the MotorCity Casino. Ilitch bought out Mandalay Bay’s 75% stake in April 2005 after [MGM Resorts](https://www.casino.com/news/las-vegas/mgm-stock-surges-12-on-barry-dillers-18b-buyout-bid/) purchased Mandalay, and Detroit officials forced MGM to sell its stake in light of anti-monopoly laws. ![File:Motor City Casino Hotel, Detroit, Michigan.JPG - Wikimedia Commons](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Motor_City_Casino_Hotel%2C_Detroit%2C_Michigan.JPG) MotorCity Casino in Detroit In 2021, Ilitch paid only $175 million for a 50% stake in Ocean Casino Resort — just about seven percent of the $2.4 billion it cost to construct and launch operations. Scarlet Pearl Casino will add another casino location to Ilitch’s portfolio. According to the property’s website, customers are entitled to 60,000 square feet of gaming space, including “dynamic” [slot machines](https://www.casino.com/us/slots/), [live-dealer table games,](https://www.casino.com/us/live-dealer/) including [roulette](https://www.casino.com/us/roulette/), craps, and [baccarat](https://www.casino.com/us/baccarat/), a sportsbook, and high-limit experiences. ## Stay updated with the latest in Casinos, Gambling & Gaming Follow Casino.com for breaking news, features, expert guides, responsible gambling advice, legal updates & financial insights.