In addition to entertainment, residents of the Prairie State will benefit from the new Illinois casinos in various ways.
Illinois is currently processing six casino licenses at various stages. These regulatory efforts are expected to create thousands of job opportunities for residents, with approximately 20,000 casino-related positions becoming available in construction, daily operations maintenance, and other roles. Both temporary and full-time positions will be offered.
Here are the current statuses of the new games in Illinois, along with the potential job opportunities they could generate.
Employment at Hard Rock Casino in Rockford
The Opening Act, Hard Rock’s temporary casino, is currently open for business until the permanent casino is completed in the fall of 2025. Hard Rock’s permanent facility in Rockford will require approximately 16,600 construction workers and 3,140 permanent staff.
The Opening Act boasts a spacious 37,000 square foot area, featuring more than 625 slot machines and electronic table games, along with two restaurants. The exact count of gaming options is still under wraps, but plans are in place to expand the gaming area to 65,000 square feet. Additional amenities at the venue will include a Hard Rock Cafe, various bars and eateries, and an entertainment venue with seating for 1,600.
Update: May 16 Hard Rock career good
Hard Rock is hosting a meeting for potential casino employees to discuss daily operations. Interested individuals must bring a current resume and either a state ID or government-issued driver’s license. Prior to the meeting, all applicants must submit an online application.
- On May 16, between 1 and 5 p.m.
- The event will take place at Rock River Bar and Grill, located at Hard Rock, 610 Normality on Bell School Road in Rockford, Illinois.
Hard Rock has a variety of entry-level positions available in money operations, food and beverage, surveillance, security, and the casino floor. Employees can enjoy competitive salaries, comprehensive health insurance, tuition reimbursement, retirement benefits, and other perks.
Jobs at the Golden Nugget Casino in Danville
Danville has been declared “preliminarily suitable” to receive a casino license by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB).
Last week, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to kick off the construction of a new gaming facility. The casino in Danville is expected to be completed in 11 months, featuring a 41,500-square-foot space that will include a Golden Nugget Sportsbook, 500 slot machines, 14 table games, and two restaurants for visitors to enjoy.
Golden Nugget is looking to fill 400 construction roles and hire for 850 full-time positions.
Game jobs in Waukegan
The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has approved Golden Nugget Danville and American Place Casino in Waukegan. FullHouseResorts plans to open a temporary casino in July 2022, transitioning to a permanent location within the next two years. They are currently seeking to hire hundreds of individuals for a variety of positions.
- Casino system technology
- Dealers
- Sales and marketing personnel
Moreover, the temporary Waukegan casino is set to create 700 casino jobs and 150 roles in food and beverage services. When the permanent location opens, it will offer a total of 1,858 jobs, with 1,150 being full-time positions that come with competitive pay and extensive benefits.
American Place has a distinctive vision for their temporary location, designing a camp that covers 75,000 square feet. Additionally, the site will be able to host 1,000 guests and feature a variety of amenities including 50 board games, a casino, dining options, and slot machines.
Jobs at Walker & rsquo’s Bluff Casino
In early December, construction started on the Walker & rsquo’s Bluff Casino, a unique destination that goes beyond traditional gambling facilities by offering a variety of amenities and leisure activities.
Walker’s Bluff is planning to hire 1,100 employees, with 330 of them being dedicated to casino staff. The grand opening of the casino in Williamson County is scheduled for 2025.
The $150 million proposal included plans for a casino featuring 650 slot machines and 14 table games, as well as 116 rooms. It also outlined retail spaces, an event center, hotels, pools, salons, and spas.
Work at the Wind Creek Casino
The Wind Creek Casino in Homewood/East Hazel Crest was approved in December and will soon be open at the interchanges of I-80 and I-294. This exciting development is expected to create around 800 full-time jobs for residents of the South Suburban area.
The $440 million project will include a total of 69,190 square feet dedicated to gaming, with 1,350 slot machines, 56 tables, and a sportsbook. Along with the gaming area, the project will also offer a sky club, pubs, restaurants, and a 252-room four-diamond hotel for guests seeking non-gambling entertainment options.
Casino employment in Chicago
A casino in Chicago is a possibility, but it is unlikely to happen soon. The Chicago game license is currently being disputed by three candidates. While the city and Mayor Lori Lightfoot had hoped to make a decision earlier this summer, approval from the Illinois Gaming Board could take up to two years.
Revised: Bidders for Chicago casino face public criticism.
Whichever blackjack is granted the license, there will be a significant need for workers, with an estimated 9,500 to 17,000 construction jobs and around 3,000 casino jobs expected to be created.
