Waukegan Marks Milestone with Groundbreaking for Permanent American Place Casino
Full House Resorts held its official groundbreaking ceremony on June 3 2026 at 10:00 AM for the new permanent American Place Casino facility in Waukegan Illinois and the event took place on a 42-acre site positioned east of the existing temporary casino which has operated since 2023.
Ceremony Details and Local Context
The ceremony brought together company executives local government representatives and project stakeholders on the designated land where construction crews prepared to begin work on the $302 million development and attendees heard remarks that outlined the shift from temporary operations to a full-scale permanent venue expected to open around 2028.
Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham joined Full House Resorts CEO Daniel Lee and American Place Vice President and General Manager Jeff Babinski to mark the start of building activities while the temporary casino continued to serve visitors on the adjacent portion of the property.
Project Specifications and Timeline
The permanent facility will occupy the 42-acre parcel and will feature expanded gaming options along with additional dining and entertainment venues once completed and the two-year construction window places the anticipated opening in approximately 2028 according to project announcements shared during the event.
Full House Resorts outlined the scope as a direct replacement for the temporary structure that opened in 2023 and the company confirmed that the new building will increase overall capacity while maintaining continuous operations at the existing site until teh permanent facility is ready.
Economic and Employment Impact
Project documents indicate the development will generate construction jobs during the building phase and permanent positions once the facility opens and local officials noted that the expanded operations are projected to contribute to regional economic activity through increased visitor spending and tax revenue.
The move from temporary to permanent infrastructure aligns with broader trends in Illinois gaming markets where operators have transitioned short-term venues into larger complexes and data from state gaming reports show steady growth in regional casino revenues over the past several years.
Key Participants and Statements
CEO Daniel Lee represented Full House Resorts at the ceremony and described the project as the next phase in the company’s Illinois expansion while Jeff Babinski highlighted operational improvements planned for the permanent site and Mayor Sam Cunningham emphasized the city’s role in supporting the development.
Statements from the participants focused on the timeline and scope of work rather than projections and the event concluded with the traditional groundbreaking activities including equipment displays and site tours for invited guests.
Construction and Regulatory Path
Full House Resorts holds the necessary state and local approvals to proceed with the permanent facility and construction activities are scheduled to advance in phases beginning immediately after the June 2026 ceremony while the temporary casino remains open to maintain revenue flow during the transition period.
Industry observers note that similar projects in other states have followed comparable two-year build schedules and the Waukegan site benefits from existing infrastructure that supports the accelerated timeline outlined by the company.
Conclusion
The June 3 2026 groundbreaking establishes a clear path forward for the American Place Casino permanent facility and the $302 million investment will replace the temporary structure with expanded amenities expected to open in 2028 while continuing to operate the current venue throughout construction.