Full House Resorts is to “begin working immediately” after being selected by the Illinois Gaming Board to develop its American Place casino resort in the city of Waukegan, subject to final licensing approvals.
The proposal was one of five submitted in response to the regulator’s ‘request for proposals’ process, and wraps up a competitive selection process that was launched in 2019.
This decision comes two and a half years after Governor J B Pritzker signed Bill SB 690 into law in Illinois, permitting the construction of six new casinos to add to its existing 10. Thus far only the Hard Rock Casino Rockford has opened for business.
This move also authorised casinos, racetracks and sports venues, with a capacity in excess of 17,000, to permit legal land based and mobile sports betting, in addition to allowing the city’s O’Hare and Midway airports to offer slots.
“We thank the Illinois Gaming Board for their confidence in Full House Resorts and for selecting our American Place proposal,” said Daniel Lee, president and chief executive officer of Full House Resorts.
“We will begin working immediately on American Place, first with the development and construction of a temporary casino in Waukegan, Illinois.
“Through our planned temporary facility – aptly named The Temporary by American Place – we will be able to quickly create jobs and generate tax revenues while the permanent American Place facility is being built. We expect to open our temporary facility in mid-2022.”
The gaming and entertainment destination is slated to incorporate a casino; sportsbook; hotel comprising 20 villas, each ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 square feet; 1,500-seat live entertainment venue; an array of eateries and bars; and other amenities in a bid to attract gaming and non-gaming patrons from throughout Chicagoland and beyond. A second phase of American Place is expected to include a four-star hotel with 150 rooms.
Lee added: “Our permanent American Place facility is designed to be a world-class destination for nearby Chicagoland residents and the entire region, and will include luxurious amenities such as an all-villa hotel with full butler service.
“We are excited to join the Waukegan community and welcome the opportunity to bring our American Place vision to life, with completion of our full experience expected in 2024.”
