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Waukegan’s long-delayed casino project moved into its next phase Wednesday as Full House Resorts broke ground on a permanent American Place Casino, a development expected to cost more than $300 million, open in 2028, and create hundreds of construction and permanent jobs.
The permanent facility will cover 200,000 square feet on 42 acres east of the current temporary casino. It is planned to include 1,300 slot machines, 80 gaming tables, and three full-service restaurants and bars. American Place Vice President Jeff Babinski said the new casino will employ more than 700 staff once completed.
The project represents an investment of nearly $500 million when combined with the temporary casino already operating at the site. Babinski said the temporary casino and existing infrastructure cost about $150 million, while the permanent casino is expected to cost more than $300 million.
The temporary American Place Casino opened in February 2023 and is now in its third year of operation. It operates inside a large white tent covering 100,000 square feet, with 905 slot machines and 43 gaming tables.
It had originally been scheduled to operate until August 2027, but received an extension to remain open while the permanent facility is built after a lawsuit by the Forest County Potawatomi Community disrupted the development timeline.
Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham described the casino as one of the largest economic development projects in the city’s history. Speaking at Wednesday’s groundbreaking, he said the project would create 400 construction jobs and help generate new revenue for the city.
Render of the proposed project
“We understand that if we want to continue to be a part of progress, not only for the state of Illinois but for our city, that we must create economic opportunities,” the mayor said.
Cunningham said the effort to bring a casino to Waukegan began in 1992 and continued through several mayoral administrations. He said northeast Lake County had not seen the same level of economic development as other parts of the Chicago region, and that the casino could help support Waukegan’s redevelopment and attract further investment.
“Our state legislators, along with our governor, have put in great preventative measures,” the mayor said. “There’s a process in place to handle that.”
Phase 1 of the development, as described at the event, will involve construction of the full permanent casino. Cunningham also addressed concerns over gambling addiction, acknowledging that casinos can create community risks. He said officials could not ignore the possibility that some people may be affected, but pointed to existing support systems and recent legislative action.
Senate Bill 2749 passed both houses in May and expands Illinois’ Substance Use Disorder Act to include services for people with gambling disorders.