The official opening of Wind Creek’s casino in Chicago’s south side has been rescheduled for early next year, months later than had been projected during the ceremonial groundbreaking in mid-2022.
The initial plan was for the new casino in Cook County to welcome its first customers mid-summer this year or early spring 2024. However, the projected grand opening has been pushed back once again to January 1, 2025, as noted by redevelopment agreements greenlighted by the two host south suburbs.
Wind Creek Hospitality, the gaming enterprise of Alabama’s Poarch Band of Creek Indians, is developing a new facility near Halsted Street and Interstate 80. The 70,000-square-foot casino and 252-room hotel tower sits within the suburb of East Hazel Crest, with parking garages on an adjoining lot in neighboring Homewood.
Although construction began in September, not much had been done until recently when the vertical structures were erected.
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Completion date not “firm”
According to the redevelopment agreements signed off on by East Hazel Crest in May and Homewood at the end of June, the casino will be completed by late 2024, just in time for Jan. 1 grand opening.
Those agreements also note that the projected completion date is not definitive. In fact, they include a clause that specifically allows further delays or extensions by Wind Creek Hospitality.
The delay isn’t good news for Chicago’s south suburban locals and casino owners but comes as a huge relief for the four casinos just across the border in Northwest Indiana. They will enjoy at least another 18 months of relatively low competition.
However, their lucky break could be cut short sooner than expected, as the new Bally’s Chicago temporary casino in the River North neighborhood is poised to enter the fray. The Medinah Temple interim casino has secured the final approval from the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) and could open as soon as next month.
Hefty investment
Documents attached to the redevelopment agreements ballpark the entire budget for the new Wind Creek casino to be $529 billion. It encompasses the construction costs, land acquisition, and hefty licensing fees the operator will remit to the state to run the casino.
The $529 million will churn out a sprawling casino, hotel, and entertainment complex. The casino will feature more than 70,000 square feet of gaming floor with 56 gaming tables, over 1,300 slot machines, and three restaurants. There will also be an adjoining skyline lounge and two bars.
The 24-acre casino property will be home to a 16-story hotel tower, with a full-service spa, indoor pool, and 252 luxury guest rooms. The biggest chunk of the gaming complex will be in East Hazel Crest, a suburb located 26 miles south of Chicago.
Wind Creek Hospitality, which got preliminary building approval in December 2021, estimates that the Chicago south-side casino project will generate as many as 600 construction jobs. And once completed, the fully operational gaming and hospitality center will employ around 800 more people.
When the casino opens in 2025, a portion of its gaming tax revenue will go into the Southland Public Benefits Fund. This rotating fund will provide support for health care services, college scholarships for low-income residents, and other as-needed community initiatives.
However, the revenue in the fund will be distributed not just to Homewood and East Hazel Crest but also to dozens of other south and southwestern suburban municipalities. The goal is to ensure that casino profits benefit the entire south suburban region, not just the two towns where the casino is physically located.
The operator has not stated if it’ll seek an iGaming license or partner with existing online casinos in Illinois.
Sizing up nearby rivals
When it finally opens, the 70,000-square-foot Chicago Southland Casino will be nearly as large as the Ameristar Casino East Chicago. The waterfront casino hotel overlooking Lake Michigan has a smaller gaming floor, at 56,000 square feet, but more games — 72 table games and over 1700 slot machines.
Ameristar Casino in East Chicago also pulls more crowds to its world-class marina, luxury 288-room hotel, and Barstool Sportsbook.
While the Chicago Southland casino may be a bit smaller than Hard Rock Northern Indiana, it still packs a punch. Located just under five miles across the state line, this Hard Rock facility features 1,700 slot machines, 80 table games, and plenty of dining options.
Other Northern Indiana casinos crossing their fingers for further delays in the grand opening of Wind Creek’s Chicago Southland casino include Horseshoe Casino and Caesars Entertainment in Hammond.
Other new Illinois casinos moving forward
While Wind Creek’s Homewood/East Hazel Crest casino project lags, other casinos in Illinois are progressing on schedule. Bally’s Chicago plans to open a temporary facility in Medinah Temple sometime in the second half of the year.
The temporary Bally’s Chicago River North casino has already secured the final approvals from the IGB and could open its doors for business as soon as August or September. The interim facility will feature only 50 gaming tables and 750 slot machines, but Bally’s $1.7 billion permanent casino won’t debut until 2026.
The American Place launched its temporary facility – unmistakably called The Temporary by American Place – in February, as reported by ABC News. It features a temporary sportsbook, 50 table games, and 1000 slot machines, along with a bar and three restaurants.
When it does open, the permanent $400 million American Place Waukegan will sport a massive casino floor with 100 table games, 1640 slot machines, and a state-of-the-art sportsbook with multiple betting kiosks & windows. The sprawling property will house a boutique hotel with 20 luxury villas.
American Place has secured an IGB extension to run its temporary casino until 2026. The $400 million permanent casino has yet to begin construction in earnest and likely won’t open until after 2025.
Hard Rock is moving forward with its new Rockford casino resort, as well. Construction continues on the permanent location, which they hope to unveil by summer 2024. Their temporary casino remains open through November 2024.
Wrapping Up
Wind Creek hasn’t revealed what’s causing the delays at the South Side site. But for competing casinos right over the border in Indiana, it’s a lucky break. They’ll get 18 more months of raking in Illinois gamblers before this big, new player enters the game.
