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What is Xmas Lightning?
Illinois Gaming Board data obtained earlier this year by the Chicago Sun-Times revealed that 502 gaming-related burglaries had been reported through June 22—already topping the 473 recorded during all of 2025. More than $1.5 million was stolen during the first half of 2026 across more than 100 municipalities.
The attacks have shown little sign of slowing. Earlier this month, law enforcement noted that a single crew is suspected in coordinated burglaries across Wheeling, New Lenox, and Peotone, where masked offenders armed with sledgehammers hit gaming venues within a 24-hour span.
New Lenox alone recorded at least 14 gaming-related smash-and-grab burglaries by early September.
What is Xmas Lightning?
A private steakhouse and lounge is being planned for the $2 billion Athletics ballpark rising from the former Tropicana demolition site on the Strip. The Athletic Club will only be accessible to season ticket holders and their guests during games and other stadium events.
The venue, to be located directly behind home plate at field level, is projected to debut along with the ballpark in February 2028.
Renowned restaurateur Will Guidara—celebrated for his tenure co-owning New York City’s three Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park and pioneering the “Unreasonable Hospitality” movement—is spearheading the design.
Hockey fans heading to Vegas Golden Knights games can now partake in way-cheaper stadium eats than the Athletic Club will offer. SMKD (Smoked Meats, Killer Drinks) BBQ has launched an upper-concourse food cart at T-Mobile Arena. Spearheaded by Top Chef Season 7 alumnus and Beat Bobby Flay champ Chef Alex Reznik (in partnership with Ogden Hospitality), the expansion builds on the success of SMKD’s brick-and-mortar location, which opened in November 2025 at 10895 S. Eastern Ave. in Henderson.
About Xmas Lightning
Within the report, Spectrum alleged “concerns around the availability of Evolution’s games in certain prohibited markets, the regulatory implications of its practices, and the lack of proactive monitoring of its customers”.
However the report confirms that Spectrum did not believe Evolution had engaged in any illegal practices.
iGB is publishing the full 69-page report, which is accessible to registered users of the New Jersey court system, below for anyone to read.
