3 Jun 2026
Groundbreaking Ceremony Launches Permanent Casino Development in Waukegan
Full House Resorts and American Place Casino have initiated construction on a permanent casino facility in Waukegan, Illinois through a groundbreaking ceremony conducted on June 3, 2026, and this step transitions the operation from its temporary venue that opened in 2023 to a substantially larger complex valued at approximately 302 million dollars.
The project will expand the current temporary casino by nearly double its size while incorporating roughly 1,300 slot machines alongside 80 table games which represent increases of 40 percent and 85 percent respectively over existing offerings, and it further includes new dining venues such as a steakhouse plus a food hall designed to enhance visitor options.
Project Scope and Design Elements
WATG has handled the architectural design for the facility while Power Construction leads building efforts in partnership with Powers & Sons, and observers note that these teams bring established experience in large-scale hospitality and gaming developments across multiple regions.
The permanent structure aims to deliver expanded gaming capacity along with additional amenities that support longer guest stays, yet the core focus remains on integrating the new elements seamlessly with the existing temporary operations during the construction phase.
Key Remarks at the Ceremony
CEO Daniel Lee of Full House Resorts addressed attendees regarding the strategic importance of moving forward with the permanent build, while General Manager Jeff Babinski highlighted operational improvements expected once the expanded facility opens, and Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham spoke about the alignment with local development goals in the community.
These comments collectively emphasized the project's role in supporting regional growth without specifying exact timelines beyond an anticipated opening window around fall 2027 or possibly August of that year.
Economic and Employment Projections
The development is positioned to generate hundreds of construction and operational positions during both the build-out and subsequent running phases, according to statements from project representatives, and local officials have connected these opportunities to broader economic activity in Lake County.
Data from similar casino expansions in the Midwest indicates potential for increased tax revenues and tourism draw once the facility reaches full operation, though specific projections for Waukegan remain tied to the final scale and market response.
Industry organizations such as the Illinois Gaming Board track licensing and compliance elements that will apply to the completed venue, ensuring regulatory alignment throughout the process.
Timeline and Construction Partners
Work on the permanent structure follows directly from the June 3, 2026 ceremony, with phased construction scheduled to minimize disruption to the temporary casino that continues serving patrons in the interim, and the overall schedule targets completion in time for an opening near fall 2027.
Power Construction and Powers & Sons bring combined expertise in commercial projects that include hospitality components, while WATG's design approach incorporates functional layouts for gaming floors and public spaces based on established industry standards.
Conclusion
The move from temporary to permanent facilities at American Place Casino represents a measured expansion of gaming infrastructure in northern Illinois, supported by coordinated efforts among the development partners, local leadership, and regulatory oversight, and updates on progress will continue to emerge as construction advances toward the 2027 target.
Those following regional economic developments can reference reports from the World Casino Directory for ongoing coverage of milestones related to this specific project.