On Wednesday, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) announced the recipients of the Waukegan and south suburban casino licenses.
The winners of the casino licenses in the south suburbs are Wind Creek Casino Homewood/East Hazel Crest and American Place Casino in Waukegan. The panel confirmed that both groups were originally eligible for a license.
In the beginning, suitability is just one step before final certification.
The vote in Waukegan came as a surprise, as the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) had previously postponed it due to a lawsuit from Potawatomi Casino. Potawatomi had accused the Waukegan process of being manipulated, particularly questioning the bid from North Point Casino.
Nonetheless, despite Potawatomi’s attempts to delay the vote being dismissed by a judge during a court hearing on Tuesday, the IGB ultimately chose American Place over North Point.
Matteson’s South Suburban Casino came in second place for the highest pay in the southern suburbs.
The process is quickly moving forward. Once a few more regulatory hurdles are cleared for final certification, the winning bidders can begin construction on their permanent facilities.
These have been the two most fiercely contested bidding processes not in Chicago. Let’s learn more about the upcoming casinos at American Place and Wind Creek.
Waukegan, South Suburban Casino Winners, in a Snapshot
Waukegan American Place Casino
American Place is building a pop-up arcade near the Fountain Square shopping area.
Some of the intriguing highlights include a helicopter landing pad, luxurious four-star hotels, grand mansions, top-notch restaurants, and a 1,500-seat entertainment venue. Additionally, there is a castle hotel with twenty rooms tailored for VIP casino guests.
The estimated cost of the project is $375 million, with projections of creating 1,900 jobs and including a physical betting facility.
The game will be held approximately 35 km northwest of Chicago at American Place, which is strategically located to also serve the Milwaukee market.
East Hazel Crest / Wind Creek Casino Homewood
Located near East Hazel Crest and Homewood at the intersection of I-80/294, Wind Creek is a $440 million project that is expected to create around 800 full-time jobs.
The casino will include a financial center, 1,350 slot machines, 56 table games, and 69,190 square feet of gaming area.
The hotel, which could have up to 252 rooms, might offer amenities like a four-diamond resort, bars, restaurants, an entertainment center, and a sky club.
Waukegan is expected to be the first to enter the market due to the absence of a temporary gaming partnership with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
What was the IGB’s opinion of Waukegan?
The vote for a Waukegan license winner was postponed by the committee on November 18 due to claims made by Potawatomi. However, Circuit Judge Cecilia Horan denied their request for a restraining order on Tuesday.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Horan declared:
Potawatomi is entering the casino market as a competitor, aiming to create its own establishment. However, since it is not a resident of Illinois or Waukegan, I question the legitimacy of their claim. The law was meant to provide protection, and I don’t believe they meet the criteria as a legitimate entity.
Potawatomi claims that the town unfairly steered the application process in favor of North Point Casino. Despite the legal dispute, the IGB was able to vote thanks to a ruling by Horan.
More news from the Illinois casino, & hellip
The temporary Hard Rock casino has been up and running since it opened in November. The permanent Hard Rock casino is expected to be officially opened within the next one to two years.
During the board meeting on Wednesday, IGB Administrator Marcus Fruchter revealed that Walker’s Bluff Casino in Williamson County has officially started construction.
Finally, the Chicago casino selection process is becoming more captivating as the city has received five proposals: two from Bally’s and Rush Street Gaming each, and one from Hard Rock.
On December 16, these businesses will reveal their plans to the city and the public. It is expected that a winning bid may be chosen by Chicago in the first quarter of 2022. Afterward, individuals can submit their components to the IGB.
