The latest casino in Illinois is set to open its doors to the public on Friday at 8 p.m. (CT) in Waukegan.
Pending final approval from the Illinois Gaming Board, The Temporary by American Place will be hosting a private VIP reception beginning at 5 p.m., followed by doors opening to the public three hours later.
Full House Resorts is the owner and operator of the casino.
Daniel R. Lee, president and chief executive officer of Full House Resorts, expressed gratitude towards the Illinois Gaming Board and its staff for their support during The Temporary’s construction and preparation. Lee also recognized the hard work of their team of around 500 founding employees who have dedicated themselves to preparing for this momentous occasion. He eagerly anticipates welcoming Chicagoland residents to The Temporary starting on February 17.
The opening of The Temporary has been delayed multiple times as we await approval from the IGB.
The Temporary is the 12th Illinois casino
The upcoming opening of The Temporary will mark the 12th physical casino in Illinois.
Situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, this location is nestled between Chicago and Milwaukee and is just a 30-minute drive north of O’Hare International Airport.
The Temporary’s interior design is inspired by a day at the lake, incorporating lush greenery and boat paddles to reflect its lakeside town setting.
The casino features:
- Approximately 1,000 slot machines.
- 50 table games.
- L’Américain, Asia-Azteca, and North Shore Steaks & Seafood (set to open in April) are the three restaurants.
- At The Canoe bar, guests can savor signature cocktails beneath a one-of-a-kind chandelier made from canoes.
- Inside the casino, you’ll find two customized Airstream trailers serving up local craft beer, salads, paninis, sandwiches, and a variety of custom coffee and espresso drinks.
- Projection mapping equipment will turn The Temporary’s exterior into a stunning art display every night.
Circa Sportsbook to come later this year
Additionally, the collaboration with Full House at the Waukegan location serves as the entry point for Circa to introduce its Illinois sportsbook application.
However, the IGB continues to list Circa Sports Illinois LLC as an “applicant.”
Should Circa become licensed, it will be the eighth sports betting operator in Illinois, joining:
Permanent casino in Waukegan to follow in 2025
The permanent American Place casino is set to open in Waukegan in 2025 at a cost of $400 million.
And, it will feature:
- 1,640 slots.
- 100 table games.
- A permanent sportsbook.
- 1,500-seat entertainment venue.
- The initial phase will consist of 20 villa-style rooms called The Mansion, with a second phase planned to include a 150-room hotel.
Full House Resorts is known for offering a luxurious experience for its players and operates casinos in Mississippi, Indiana, Nevada, and Colorado.
In conclusion, the new casino will generate over 400 jobs in the city situated between Chicago and Milwaukee.
More Illinois casino openings expected this year
Five additional casinos are anticipated to open after The Temporary, with some expected to open later this year.
- The opening of Golden Nugget Danville is planned for March 2025.
- The temporary Bally’s Chicago casino, set to open at the Medinah Temple in June 2025, will be followed by the permanent Bally’s Chicago opening in 2026.
- The opening of Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort in Williamson County is set for 2025.
- The permanent Hard Rock Rockford casino is set to open in late 2025, following the opening of the temporary casino, Hard Rock: Opening Act, in 2021.
- The Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino, situated at the border of Homewood and East Hazel Crest, IL, is set to open in late 2025 or early 2025.
