Full House Resorts’ American Place Casino in Waukegan, Illinois, remains entangled in a web of legal challenges, much like a poker hand that just won’t fold. A rival operator is continuing its lawsuit against the city, alleging that the cards were stacked against them during the bidding process.
Legal Tangle: Development Stalled
The development of Full House’s American Place Casino has hit more roadblocks than a rigged game of roulette. The Forest County Potawatomi of Wisconsin is playing the role of the spoiler, consistently blocking the venue’s construction. This tribe was one of the contenders for the coveted license back in 2019 but cried foul and rolled the legal dice after losing the bid.
The Potawatomi tribe claims that the entire tender process was rigged and that they didn’t get a fair shake. Initially dismissed, their complaint was pulled from the proverbial discard pile and revived in 2023, allowing the tribe to re-plead its case.
According to the Potawatomi, the city council greatly undervalued their contributions, opting instead to rely on an antiquated and inaccurate third-party report. The suit also suggests that Mayor Sam Cunningham had an ace up his sleeve, allegedly directing the Waukegan City Council members on which bids to greenlight.
As a result, construction of the permanent American Place Casino has been in a holding pattern, collecting dust like slot machines in a ghost town. Nevertheless, Full House Resorts managed to open a temporary venue this past February, bringing a brief glimmer of hope.
The Future of American Place in Waukegan Is Still Uncertain
The crystal ball remains murky for Full House as the property’s future hangs in the balance.
Alex Stolyar, SVP and chief development officer at Full House Resorts, expressed his frustration to The Chicago Tribune, highlighting that ongoing litigation continues to delay any forward momentum. While he couldn’t definitively assert any concrete outcomes, he took a moment to extend gratitude to both the city and state for their expedient efforts to resolve this legal muddle.
“As long as the litigation is ongoing, there is too much uncertainty around the development. Unfortunately, this litigation has delayed our plans, but we appreciate the efforts of the city and state working as quickly as they can to get this restarted,”
— Alex Stolyar, SVP and Chief Development Officer at Full House Resorts
With the Illinois Supreme Court currently in recess until September, reaching a final decision before the year’s end is akin to waiting for a jackpot that might never come. Even if Full House Resorts comes out on top, it would likely take a solid two or three years before the permanent casino is fully operational, reminiscent of waiting for a full deck of cards in a high-stakes game.
An Uphill Battle for the Potawatomi
For the Potawatomi, proving that the bidding process was rigged is no small feat, a battle as uphill as a steep climb to the high-stakes table. The city has already dismissed the tribe’s claims as “factually suspect.” However, any delay chips away at Full House’s chances, leaving them stuck in legal limbo.
Looking Forward: Legalizing Online Gambling
Meanwhile, the state of Illinois isn’t just sitting on its hands. Efforts to legalize online gambling are gathering steam. State Representative Edgar Gonzalez Jr. is optimistic, hoping to see iGaming make its way to Illinois by 2025 and noting that there’s considerable momentum for an iGaming measure.
So, as the legal drama unfolds and the fate of the American Place Casino remains tied up like a jackpot safely locked behind bulletproof glass, the gambling community in Illinois eagerly watches and waits. For now, all bets are off until the courts lay their final cards on the table.
