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The temporary casino in Waukegan offers a wide variety of slot machines and features a stunning interior design, although it receives both positive and negative feedback from customers.
My visit to Full House Resort’s casino in northeast Illinois was enjoyable. The newest IL casino was clean, had a pleasant interior, friendly staff, and nearly 1,000 slot machines.
I was curious to hear other guests’ opinions on The Temporary, so I interviewed three patrons to gather their reviews for Play Illinois.
General thoughts on The Temporary
Each guest I spoke with had a different opinion on The Temporary.
Joyce Collins traveled from Milwaukee to the casino, a 45-minute drive down I-41. She found the commute to be convenient, but was disappointed by how close the slot machines were once she arrived.
Collins said:
The machines at this casino are extremely tight. I don’t recall ever visiting a casino with machines as tight as these.
Initially hesitant due to the high crime rates in Waukegan, Tara Venturi eventually decided to visit The Temporary, which is located near her home.
NeighborhoodScout.com reported that Waukegan has a crime index of 24 out of 100, indicating that Waukegan is safer than only 24% of cities in the United States.
Despite this, Venturi expressed satisfaction with the security measures in place at The Temporary. She stated:
I believe many people in my hometown are hesitant to visit here due to Waukegan’s crime rate, but I actually feel safer than I anticipated. This is my second visit, and I live just five miles away. I come with a friend and we have a great time – despite its flaws, I find this place quite beautiful.
The most recent interviewee preferred to remain anonymous, so for the purpose of this article, we will refer to him as Barry Allen. It was Allen’s inaugural visit to The Temporary, and he was pleasantly surprised by the casino’s interior design, despite its temporary nature.
Friendly interactions with The Temporary employees
Both Venturi and Allen had few interactions with The Temporary’s staff, but they both had positive experiences and only had good things to say about the employees they did speak to.
Upon entering The Temporary, Collins engaged with casino employees right away, explaining that she had undergone multiple surgeries resulting in metal implants that triggered the metal detector.
Nevertheless, the staff at The Temporary was polite when interacting with her, according to Collins.
The individuals were incredibly kind and friendly. Upon entering, the metal in my back and body triggered the alarms. However, they handled the situation with great politeness and kindness.
Collins also remarked on the cleanliness at The Temporary.
Review point to what can be improved at the casino
When asked how The Temporary could improve, Venturi quickly offered a suggestion.
She commented, “I believe the buffet could use some improvement. It’s American buffet style. During my visit, they only had buttered noodles and bread, so there’s definitely room for improvement.”
Currently, The Temporary has one restaurant in operation, L’Américain. An Asian-Azteca fusion restaurant is set to open in the near future, followed by the opening of North Shore Steaks and Seafood in the second quarter. Ultimately, The Temporary plans to operate three restaurants once fully established.
Collins was disappointed that she had to pay for a cup of coffee at the casino.
She complained, “Coffee is too expensive here. Most casinos offer complimentary coffee or drinks. Paying $3.50 for a cup of coffee at a casino is outrageous.”
Allen’s primary grievance about The Temporary was the absence of any victories during his visit.
He attributed it to bad luck thus far, he said.
Will the guests return to The Temporary
The clearest indication of a patron’s enjoyment of their experience is whether or not they intend to return. Venturi and Allen, who both live nearby, mentioned that the convenience factor alone would likely entice them to come back.
However, Collins was not sufficiently impressed to justify making the trip back from America’s Dairyland. She stated that she intended to continue visiting casinos closer to her home.
We tend to frequent the casinos in Madison or Baraboo because they are closer to home and I prefer them. The casino in Baraboo, in particular, has a hotel where you can stay overnight.
