The construction of Ho-Chunk Gaming Beloit, spearheaded by the Ho-Chunk Nation, is progressing as planned, with a targeted opening for the casino set for September 26, 2026.
Work on the site commenced in October 2024, situated at the intersection of Willowbrook and Colley roads in Beloit, Wisconsin.
The ambitious project will feature a gaming area exceeding 240,000 square feet, housing 1,500 gaming machines, live entertainment venues, and an array of food and beverage options.
Additionally, the development will include a hotel boasting over 200 rooms, with the potential for more based on market demand. The hotel is anticipated to welcome guests by mid-2027.
Jon Greendeer, President of the Ho-Chunk Nation, emphasized that the resort will reflect Ho-Chunk culture through its art and design, highlighting the tribe’s historical ties to the Beloit region. “We never really left there,” he remarked. “It’s still a cultural landscape.”
The casino is projected to generate over 1,000 jobs in the Beloit area, creating opportunities for local vendors and small businesses involved in the casino's operations. Greendeer noted, “It’s the mom-and-pop businesses that truly benefit from the arrival of such a large industry— we need local talent, not someone from Minneapolis or Chicago.”
In preparation for its opening, the casino has already initiated hiring events, with the next recruitment drive scheduled for June 2-4, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Beloit College Library located at 735 College Street.
As the Beloit project advances, other gaming operators are bracing for increased competition in the region. Hard Rock Casino Rockford recently announced plans to establish a hotel by late 2027, with President Geno Iafrate acknowledging the competition posed by the Beloit development, located approximately 18 miles to the north.
“Everyone knows we have competition. New competition entering the market 18 miles north of us,” Iafrate stated. “We must defend Hard Rock Casino Rockford and this region by expanding.”
Greendeer commented on the competitive landscape within the gaming sector, asserting that the Midwest boasts the best gaming industry. “We’ve already established that we’re a benefit to both Illinois and Wisconsin, Rock County, and the city of Beloit,” he said. “We’re committed to keeping our profits local.”
Located between the two casinos along I-90 is South Beloit. Mayor Tom Fitzgerald expressed optimism about the potential economic benefits the new development could bring, despite the city not receiving any casino profits. “It would make me more excited if we got part of the profits, but we are not,” Fitzgerald said. “We’re kind of sitting on the sidelines watching everybody else make money.”