BREAKING: Illinois Gaming Board Selects Winning Bidders For Waukegan, South Suburban Casino Licenses

The winning candidates for the Waukegan and south suburban casino licenses were selected by the Illinois Gaming Board ( IGB ) on Wednesday.

Wind Creek Casino Homewood / East Hazel Crest (south suburbs) and American Place Casino (Waukegan) are the winners. The panel also established that both groups were initially eligible for a license.

In its early stages, suitability is just one step away from final certification.

The vote in Waukegan is somewhat unexpected. The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) postponed a vote at the previous board meeting because of an impending lawsuit from Potawatomi Casino. Potawatomi alleged that the Waukegan process was manipulated, particularly pointing out the bid from North Point Casino.

However, during a court hearing on Tuesday, a judge dismissed Potawatomi’s effort to postpone the vote. Eventually, the IGB favored American Place over North Point regardless.

South Suburban Casino Matteson was the runner-up pay for the southern suburbs.

The process rapidly progresses from below. After surmounting a few more regulatory hurdles for final certification, the winning bidders may soon commence construction on their permanent facilities.

These have been the two most competitive bidding processes outside of Chicago. Let’s familiarize ourselves with the forthcoming casinos at American Place and Wind Creek.

Waukegan, South Suburban Casino Winners, in a Snapshot

Waukegan American Place Casino

American Place will construct a temporary game near the Fountain Square shopping district.

Among the fascinating key features are a helicopter pad, four-star hotels, mansions, restaurants, and a 1,500-seat entertainment venue. A castle hotel with twenty rooms specifically designed for VIP casino patrons is also included.

The project, costing approximately $375 million, is expected to create around 1,900 jobs. There will also be a physical betting facility.

The game is set to take place about 35 km northwest of Chicago. American Place, due to its close proximity to Milwaukee, also plans to cater to that market.

East Hazel Crest / Wind Creek Casino Homewood

Wind Creek will be situated at the intersection of I-80 / 294 & nbsp, near East Hazel Crest and Homewood. The project, worth $440 million, will generate approximately 800 full-time jobs.

The casino will feature a financial casino, 1,350 slot machines, 56 board games, and 69,190 square feet of gaming space.

The hotel, potentially consisting of 252 rooms, may include amenities such as a four-diamond resort, bars, restaurants, an entertainment center, and a sky club.

Waukegan is likely to be the first to enter the market since there won’t be a temporary game in partnership with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

What was the IGB’s opinion of Waukegan?

The committee delayed the vote for a Waukegan license winner on November 18 because of the claims made by Potawatomi. Still, on Tuesday, their request for a restraining order was turned down by Circuit Judge Cecilia Horan.

Horan stated through the Chicago Tribune:

“Potawatomi steps in as a competitor to other casinos, striving to establish one of its own. However, it doesn’t come in as a resident of Illinois or Waukegan. As such, I don’t believe that the claimant is a legitimate entity. The intention of the law was to provide protection.”

Potawatomi alleges that the town specifically guided the application process towards North Point Casino. Despite the ongoing legal conflict, the IGB managed to vote due to the ruling by Horan & rsquo.

More news from the Illinois casino, & hellip

The temporary Hard Rock casino has been operational since its launch in November, with plans for the permanent Hard Rock casino to be inaugurated within the following one to two years.

IGB Administrator Marcus Fruchter announced at the board meeting on Wednesday that Walker & rsquo’s Bluff Casino, located in Williamson County, has recently broken ground.

At last, the process for the Chicago casino is becoming much more intriguing. The city has received five proposals: two each from Bally’s and Rush Street Gaming, and one from Hard Rock.

These businesses will disclose their plans to the city and the public on December 16. In the first quarter of 2022, it is anticipated that a winning bid may be selected by Chicago. Subsequently, the individual can submit their components to the IGB.