Full House Resorts Launches $302 Million Permanent Casino Build in Waukegan
Full House Resorts held its groundbreaking ceremony on June 3, 2026, for the permanent American Place Casino in Waukegan, Illinois, marking the start of construction on a $302 million facility that will replace the temporary casino operating since 2023.
The 42-acre site will house a roughly 200,000 square foot venue equipped with 1,300 slot machines along with 80 gaming tables, multiple restaurants, and additional amenities designed to serve visitors once the phased opening begins around 2027 to 2028.
Project Scope and Site Preparation
Company representatives and local officials gathered at the Waukegan location where crews have already cleared portions of the property and begun foundational work that will support the larger structure, and the permanent facility expands well beyond the temporary setup that has been in place for three years. Observers note that the scale allows for expanded gaming options plus dining and entertainment spaces that were not feasible in the interim location.
Economic and Employment Projections
Data from project filings indicates the development is expected to generate construction jobs during the build phase and ongoing positions once the casino opens, while local economic forecasts point to increased tax revenue and visitor spending in the surrounding area. Those projections align with patterns seen in other Illinois casino projects where permanent facilities have supported broader commercial activity around the gaming floor.
Full House Resorts has outlined plans that tie job creation directly to the larger footprint, and the company’s Nasdaq listing (FLL) reflects ongoing capital commitments to the Illinois market.
Timeline and Construction Phases
Construction will proceed in stages so that portions of the facility can open while work continues on remaining sections, with the overall timeline targeting initial operations between 2027 and 2028. This phased approach mirrors strategies used at other regional gaming properties where operators balance revenue generation with completion of full amenities.
Site plans show the main gaming floor occupying a central position with restaurants and support areas arranged around it, and the layout accommodates future expansions if demand requires additional capacity beyond the initial 1,300 slots and 80 tables.
Regulatory and Community Context
The Illinois Gaming Board maintains oversight of licensing and compliance for the project, and local Waukegan authorities have coordinated on zoning and infrastructure needs tied to the 42-acre parcel. Reports filed with state regulators detail how the permanent casino will integrate with existing transportation routes serving the temporary facility.
Community meetings held ahead of the June 2026 ceremony addressed traffic management and public safety measures that will accompany the larger operation, and those discussions continue as construction milestones are reached.
Conclusion
The June 3, 2026 groundbreaking sets in motion a multi-year effort that transitions American Place Casino from its temporary configuration to a full-scale destination, with the $302 million investment supporting expanded gaming, dining, and employment opportunities on the Waukegan site through the targeted 2027–2028 opening window. Chicago Tribune coverage and filings with the Illinois Gaming Board provide ongoing documentation of progress on the development.