Full House Resorts Launches Permanent Casino Build in Waukegan

Full House Resorts (Nasdaq: FLL) together with American Place Casino has initiated construction on the permanent casino facility located in Waukegan Illinois, a development that follows the temporary casino which began operations in 2023. The project centers on a facility spanning approximately 200,000 square feet, roughly double the size of the existing temporary venue, and it will feature expanded gaming options along with dining and entertainment amenities while future phases include hotel development.

Company announcements confirm that the permanent structure will house around 1,300 slot machines and 80 table games, creating a larger scale operation designed to serve the regional market more comprehensively. Observers note that this expansion aligns with the company's stated plans to transition from the interim site to a more substantial permanent presence over the coming years.

Project Specifications and Components

The permanent facility incorporates multiple elements beyond core gaming, including dedicated spaces for dining and entertainment that will operate alongside the expanded slot adn table game offerings. Data from project outlines indicate the structure will support these amenities within the 200,000 square foot footprint, allowing for increased capacity compared to the temporary location that has been active since 2023. Future phases of development will add hotel accommodations, though those elements remain scheduled for later stages after the main casino opens.

Those familiar with the timeline point out that the transition from temporary to permanent operations reflects standard industry progression where initial venues establish market presence before larger builds commence. The permanent casino maintains the American Place branding and will continue under Full House Resorts management as construction advances through the projected completion window of 2027-2028.

Groundbreaking Ceremony Scheduled for June 2026

A formal groundbreaking ceremony is set for June 3, 2026, at 10 AM, marking the official start of visible construction activity on the Waukegan site. This event follows preparatory work already underway and signals the shift from planning to active building phases for the expanded facility. Local reports and company statements confirm the date and time, positioning the ceremony as a key milestone in the overall development schedule.

Construction timelines project an opening between 2027 and 2028 once the core structure reaches completion, allowing time for installation of gaming equipment, dining outlets, and entertainment venues. The phased approach separates the initial casino build from subsequent hotel additions, enabling the main facility to become operational while additional elements proceed afterward.

Transition from Temporary Operations

The temporary casino, which opened in 2023, has provided operational continuity while the permanent project moved through approval and design stages. With construction now beginning, the temporary site continues to function until the larger facility reaches completion, ensuring uninterrupted service for patrons during the multi-year build period. Company filings note that the temporary venue measures roughly half the size of the upcoming permanent structure, which accounts for the increased gaming positions and amenity space in the new design.

Project documentation shows the permanent facility will maintain the same market focus while scaling up offerings to include more slots and tables plus expanded non-gaming attractions. This measured growth follows patterns seen in other regional casino developments where temporary sites bridge the gap to full-scale builds.

Development Timeline and Next Steps

Following the June 2026 groundbreaking, construction crews will focus on foundational and structural work for the 200,000 square foot building. The schedule targets operational readiness in the 2027-2028 range, with the exact opening date dependent on progress through permitting, material supply, and installation phases. Future hotel components will follow the casino opening as separate project stages.

According to Illinois Gaming Board records, the Waukegan location holds the necessary licensing for both temporary and permanent operations under Full House Resorts. Progress reports indicate coordination between the company and local authorities to align construction milestones with regulatory requirements throughout the build.

Conclusion

The initiation of construction on the permanent American Place Casino represents a direct continuation of plans first outlined after the temporary facility opened in 2023. With the June 2026 groundbreaking ceremony approaching and an anticipated opening window of 2027-2028, the project moves into its active development phase on the Waukegan site. The expanded gaming capacity, additional amenities, and planned hotel phases will unfold according to the established timeline as work proceeds.