Casino! Casino! Little Caesars Empire Taking Bigger Bite Out of Ocean Casino Resort, Buying Scarlet Pearl

Posted on: June 18, 2026, 02:27h. 

Last updated on: June 18, 2026, 02:27h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • Ilitch Companies has created Ilitch Gaming to oversee its casino holdings and future expansion
  • The new division will own Ocean Casino Resort outright and acquire Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort in Mississippi
  • The move expands the Ilitch family’s gaming footprint, which began with the opening of MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit in 1999

Ilitch Companies is spinning off a new organization, Ilitch Gaming, to oversee the family business empire’s casino investments in MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit, Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, and the to-be-acquired Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort in D’Iberville, Miss.

Ilitch Gaming Ocean Casino Scarlet Pearl
A Little Caesars is pictured in Detroit. The Ilitch family, who founded the pizza chain 67 years ago, is expanding its casino holdings by acquiring Ocean Casino Resort outright and purchasing the Scarlet Pearl in Mississippi. (Image: Shutterstock)

Ilitch Companies is the family business of the late Mike Ilitch and his wife, Marian Ilitch. Together, the two became billionaires by founding the Little Caesars pizza chain in 1959.

Ilitch is spinning off its casinos into Ilitch Gaming, a unified division that will oversee Ilitch’s three casinos and support possible future growth initiatives. That starts with purchasing the outstanding 50% stake in Ocean Casino from private equity group Luxor Capital and entering into an agreement to purchase the Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort in Mississippi from Luann Pappas.

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, chairperson of Ilitch Gaming.

“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,” Ilitch added.

Casinos That Pizza Built

The Ilitchs used their pizza money to expand their portfolio into a conglomerate of sports and entertainment. The family owns the MLB Detroit Tigers, NHL Detroit Red Wings, and the historic Fox Theatre.

The Ilitchs have been in the gaming industry since opening MotorCity in December 1999. The family pounced on the opportunity to own and operate one of the three commercial casinos in Detroit after Michigan voters passed a statewide referendum to allow gambling in hopes of revitalizing the city.

The Ilitch developed MotorCity through a partnership with Las Vegas-based Mandalay Resort Group for $525 million. Ilitch bought out Mandalay Bay’s 75% stake in April 2005, after MGM Resorts acquired Mandalay, and city officials forced MGM to divest the stake due to anti-monopoly laws (MGM already operated MGM Grand Detroit).

After seeing success in Detroit with MotorCity, the Ilitch family sought to expand its gaming business. The company found an attractive opportunity in Atlantic City by way of Ocean Casino Resort.

In 2021, Ilitch paid $175 million for a 50% stake in the casino that cost $2.4 billion to open. Ocean, formerly known as Revel, endured years of financial struggles and bankruptcies.

Under Ilitch’s possession, Ocean has become one of Atlantic City’s top-performing properties.