Congratulations to our client, Ho-Chunk Nation, on receiving approval to move forward with the casino resort development in Beloit, Wisconsin. H&LA is proud to have worked with Ho-Chunk Nation on the feasibility study for the project and we wish them best of luck with the development!

Published by: WTVO
Published date: March 2021

BELOIT, Wis. (WTVO) — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has given his approval Wednesday to move ahead with the development of a casino in Beloit.

The $405 million gaming and family entertainment destination is projected to bring an approximate 1,500 permanent jobs and thousands of construction jobs to the site in an economic win for the Nation, the Beloit area, and the State of Wisconsin. The project includes a casino, hotel, convention center, restaurants, and waterpark.

“We want to thank the City of Beloit, Rock County, and our respective communities for all the support over the past several years. We look forward to the day when we can celebrate everybody who helped this project along,” said Ho-Chunk Nation Vice President Karena Thundercloud.

The application for a Beloit casino was approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in April of 2020.

The Ho-Chunk Nation’s development is expected to bring 1,500 jobs to the City of Beloit.

The planned development is at the southeast corner of Willowbrook and Colley roads between Willowbrook Road and Interstate 39-90.

Beloit’s casino is in a race with Rockford’s Hard Rock Casino, which would go up on E. State Street in the lot of the former Clock Tower Resort. The Illinois Gaming Board has not yet approved a final license, but Hard Rock has begun development of space within Giovanni’s Restaurant and Convention Center, 610 N Bell School Rd, as a temporary casino.

“The City of Beloit remains optimistic and hopeful that we can celebrate a groundbreaking soon. The City of Beloit is committed to working with the Ho-Chunk Nation on this development,” said Beloit City Manager Lori Curtis Luther. “Not only will the Ho-Chunk Nation bring economic development, job growth and entertainment activity to our community, but the Nation will also provide cultural and historical education to our residents. We look forward to welcoming the Ho-Chunk Nation back to their home.”

The Bureau of Indian Affairs will now begin the final administrative process to move the land into trust.