Walker’s Bluff Casino Gives Update But Still Waiting For Update From IGB

Written By Joe Boozell on March 26, 2021

We have received additional details about the proposed hospital, and Elite Casino Resorts is competing for the Williamson County gaming license. The Illinois Gaming Board’s decision on its passport application remains uncertain.

The Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort will feature more than 650 slot machines, 20 table games, a sportsbook, hotel accommodations, a pool, spa, and event center.

Elite Casino Resorts, the owner of three casinos in Iowa, is currently the only applicant for the County of Williamson license.

Williamson County is located in Southern Illinois.

Elite Casino Resorts originally intended to divide the construction of the structure into multiple phases, but has now decided to proceed with building everything all at once.

Dan Kehl, CEO of Elite Casino Resorts, announced that the proposed construction schedule will allow for the early opening of the casino, hotel, spa, and other Elite amenities. This will ensure a positive first impression for new patrons of the soon-to-open Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort.

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has naturally taken an extended period to welcome new casino players.

However, Elite Casino Resorts may still find something positive in the month ahead.

By May, Illinois casino applicants may receive a response.

In 2019, Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois supported a gaming expansion bill that brought six new casino licenses to the state.

As of 2021, no official licenses have been granted. The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has determined that Hard Rock Casino Rockford is “preliminarily suitable” for a license, marking an important step towards final approval.

Nevertheless, none of the other applicants have been able to advance to that level. It was anticipated that applicants would hear back by October 2020, one year after the majority of them submitted their applications. The decision deadline was supposedly set for one year.

Instead, the IGB decided to delay their decision by informing candidates to anticipate a response within six weeks.

The next IGB meeting is set for April 21, and we will reach the six-month mark by the end of the month. At this meeting, we may gather some details about the game.

Based on the thorough progress of the process thus far, it may not be required for us to continue.

Bluff is the only applicant for a County of Williamson license from Walker & rsquo.

With the preliminary approval of the Hard Rock Rockford, there are currently five casino licenses up for grabs in the following locations:

County of Williamson
Waukegan
South neighbourhoods
Danville
Chicago

Here is the list of applicants awaiting approval, with Walker’s Bluff standing as the only contender for the Williamson County license.

Full House Resorts, Inc. has been granted a license for a new American Place location in Waukegan.
Lakeside Casino, LLC operates North Point Casino under a Waukegan License.
Southland LIVE, LLC (South Suburban License) is the operating entity known as Live.
LLC South Suburban License
Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, LLC (Licensed in Williamson County)
South Suburban License granted to Wind Creek, LLC.

Walker’s Bluff has a reason to feel optimistic, as they only need acceptance from IGB, unlike the other applicants who face the risk of losing to another bid.

It is possible that Walker’s Bluff adjusted the building timeline in hopes of improving their chances of receiving IGB approval. We should have a definitive answer by April 21.