Full House Resorts Launches Permanent Build for American Place Casino in Waukegan
Full House Resorts together with American Place Casino has confirmed the start of construction on the permanent casino facility in Waukegan Illinois and the company scheduled the official groundbreaking ceremony for June 3 at 10:00 AM on the 42-acre site located east of the existing temporary facility.
The $302 million project will replace teh temporary casino that has operated since 2023 and the new venue is expected to open in approximately two years around 2028 while it will deliver expanded gaming options along with additional dining entertainment and other amenities once complete.
Project Scope and Location Details
The permanent structure will occupy the 42-acre parcel positioned directly east of the current temporary operation which allows crews to work without interrupting ongoing activities at the interim site and the layout supports future growth in gaming capacity as well as expanded food and beverage offerings plus dedicated entertainment spaces.
Construction crews will begin site preparation immediately following the June 3 ceremony in 2026 and the timeline calls for the full facility to reach completion near the start of 2028 which keeps the overall development period within the two-year window outlined in the announcement.
Timeline and Construction Phases
Groundbreaking marks the first visible step in a sequence that includes foundation work structural framing and interior fit-out before the property transitions from temporary to permanent operations and observers note that the phased approach minimizes disruption for existing patrons while allowing the temporary casino to continue serving visitors throughout the build.
The schedule places the opening near 2028 which aligns with the projected completion date and the two-year construction window accounts for permitting infrastructure upgrades and finishing work required to bring the expanded amenities online.
Facility Features and Amenities
Once open the permanent venue will provide a larger gaming floor compared with the temporary operation along with multiple dining venues live entertainment areas and additional guest amenities designed to create a comprehensive destination experience and the expanded footprint supports a broader range of table games slot machines and ancillary services.
Design plans call for integrated spaces that connect gaming areas directly to restaurants and entertainment zones which streamlines guest flow and the overall layout reflects the scale of a full-scale resort-style casino that replaces the smaller interim facility currently in use.
Background on the Temporary Operation
The temporary casino has served the Waukegan market since 2023 and it established the initial presence for American Place while the permanent build was prepared and that interim site continues to operate as construction begins on the adjacent 42-acre parcel which keeps revenue streams active during the transition period.
Full House Resorts has managed the temporary location through its partnership with American Place Casino and the move to a permanent structure represents the next stage in the company's long-term development strategy for the Illinois property.
Conclusion
The June 3 groundbreaking in 2026 initiates a two-year construction period that will culminate in the 2028 opening of the $302 million permanent American Place Casino and the project will deliver expanded gaming dining and entertainment options on the 42-acre site east of the current temporary facility while the existing operation remains active until the new venue is ready. According to the official announcement the completed facility will replace the temporary casino that opened in 2023 and it will mark a significant upgrade in scale and amenities for visitors to the Waukegan location. The announcement from Full House Resorts provides the complete timeline and feature details for the permanent build.