American Place Casino Breaks Ground This Week in Waukegan, Illinois
Posted on: June 2, 2026, 10:35h.
Last updated on: June 2, 2026, 10:35h.
- Full House Resorts will break ground on American Place this week
- The casino was delayed for years by litigation
- Full House has operated a temporary casino in Waukegan for three years
Full House Resorts is finally breaking ground on American Place Casino in Waukegan, Illinois.
After years of delay due to legal challenges brought by a Wisconsin tribe, Full House says construction on American Place will begin this Wednesday, June 3. The $302 million facility is being built on a 42-acre site near Chicago’s North Shore.
Approximately 30 minutes north of O’Hare International Airport and 60 minutes south of Milwaukee, Full House says American Place will bring jobs, entertainment, and economic growth to Waukegan. The Las Vegas-based company is breaking ground before its full financing is in place.
We are well down the road on arranging the long-term financing for American Place. We decided to begin construction now, while we complete the legal and banking work on such financing. The early stages of construction take time and can be funded from our existing resources and cash flows,” said Daniel Lee, Full House CEO.
Lee said the company hopes to open the permanent American Place in two years.
Long Road to Construction
Waukegan was allocated a casino development opportunity through state legislation in 2019. Full House Resorts secured the casino license through a competitive bid, but the project was tied up in courts after the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe of Wisconsin sued the Illinois Gaming Board and the City of Waukegan on allegations that its bid was not properly considered.
The case ultimately reached the Illinois Supreme Court, which unanimously ruled against the tribe in January 2025. Full House has operated a temporary casino in Waukegan since February 2023.
“Three years ago, we opened our doors in a temporary facility and promised the Waukegan community something bigger. Today, we’re moving ahead to deliver on that promise,” said Jeff Babinski, general manager of American Place Casino. “The permanent American Place will expand what we offer, create hundreds of new jobs, and give our guests, team members, and community a destination they can be proud to call their own.”
The temporary American Place Casino has approximately 900 slot machines, 40 table games, a poker room, and a sportsbook.
While precise numbers were not divulged, the Full House release said the permanent casino will have “40% more slot machines and 85% more table games.” The permanent casino will also offer more restaurants and bars. The development additionally includes a 150-room hotel with 20 “ultra-exclusive” VIP villas in what’s being billed as The Mansion.
“Similar in character to the most exclusive accommodations in Las Vegas, The Mansion will accommodate guests in private villas ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 square feet,” the American Place Casino website reads.
Chicago Casinos
Chicago is becoming a gaming mecca. American Place will join six other permanent casinos in the Chicago suburbs, namely, Rivers Casino Des Plaines, Hard Rock Rockford, Wind Creek Chicago Southland, Hollywood Casino Aurora, Harrah’s Joliet, and Grand Victoria Casino. There are also several casinos in Northwest Indiana.
Bally’s is amid the construction of its permanent downtown Chicago integrated resort. The more than $1.7 billion development is slated to open next year.
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