Full House Resorts is set to commence construction on the permanent American Place Casino today, June 3, at 10:00 AM. The groundbreaking ceremony will take place at 4011 Fountain Square Place in Waukegan, Illinois.
This project represents a significant step forward for American Place, which has been operating from a temporary casino since February 17, 2023. The new facility will be constructed directly east of the current location on the 42-acre site and is anticipated to be roughly double the size of the existing casino, featuring enhanced gaming options, dining experiences, and entertainment facilities.
Situated along Chicago’s North Shore, the property is conveniently located about 30 minutes north of O’Hare International Airport and 60 minutes south of Milwaukee.
Daniel R. Lee, CEO of Full House Resorts, commented, “As we recently communicated to our financial partners, we are progressing well with securing long-term financing for American Place. We decided to initiate construction now while we finalize the legal and banking aspects of this financing.”
He further explained that starting construction at this point aims to facilitate a planned opening of the permanent casino in approximately two years. The initial phases of construction will be financed through the company’s existing resources and cash flow.
Jeff Babinski, Vice President and General Manager of American Place Casino, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “Three years ago, we launched our operations in a temporary facility and promised the Waukegan community something larger. Today, we are taking steps to fulfill that promise. The permanent American Place will broaden our offerings, generate hundreds of new jobs, and provide our guests, team members, and the community with a venue they can truly call their own.”
While the temporary casino will continue to operate during the construction phase, the new venue is expected to greatly enhance gaming capacity, with around 40% more slot machines and 85% more table games. Additionally, plans include various restaurants, bars, and other guest amenities.
The design of the casino will be executed by WATG, drawing inspiration from the architectural style of Frank Lloyd Wright, with construction managed by Power Construction and Powers & Sons Construction.
Local and state officials are anticipated to be present at the groundbreaking event. The temporary casino will remain operational throughout the construction period.