Ho-Chunk Nation Opens $705 Million Beloit Casino Resort
We can’t believe it’s finally happening and we are extremely excited,
Ho-Chunk Nation President Jon Greendeer said as the tribe prepared to open its new $705 million gaming facility in Beloit, Wisconsin. The Ho-Chunk Nation launched its long-awaited casino resort to the public on October 23, 2026, following years of planning, land acquisitions, and regulatory reviews. The 24-hour facility spans a 33-acre campus off Interstate 90 and introduces at least 1,300 slot machines, table games, and multiple dining options to the southern Wisconsin border market.
Tribal Leadership and Community Perspectives on the Opening
Tribal leaders gathered for traditional drumming, dancing, and a flag-raising ceremony to mark the milestone. President Jon Greendeer described the decades-long effort required to establish the property, noting that the tribe began buying back land in the area in 1992. We hold so much history in this area and now we can say we hold an amazing future to share with our friends and partners in the state line region,
Greendeer stated. Clayton Winneshiek emphasized that the project reflects years of careful collaboration and a broader evolution in tribal economic development from tobacco shops and bingo halls toward major resort properties. In a report from Rockford News First, Clayton Winneshiek, tribal chief of the Ho-Chunk Nation, explained that realizing the project required years of work and cooperation. Greendeer stated that the project will create economic opportunities for the tribal community and the entire region through job creation and the purchasing of local goods and services. Winneshiek said, Unsere Vorfahren würden sagen, dass unsere Lebensweise niemals aufhört, und auch wenn es so scheint, als würden die Trommeln hier in Beloit zum ersten Mal schlagen, so geht es doch weiter.
Gaming Amenities and Economic Projections for Rock County
The initial phase of Ho-Chunk Gaming Beloit features a large gaming floor operating around the clock with live tables for blackjack, craps, and poker variants. Visitors also have access to a steakhouse, Draft Pick Pub House, Black River Coffee Shop, Livewire Lounge, Food Truck Alley, and a parking garage. Local tourism officials project that the development will generate between $150 million and $250 million annually in net winnings. Under revenue-sharing agreements, 1.4% of gaming proceeds go to the city of Beloit, 0.6% to Rock County, and 5% to the state of Wisconsin.
Construction Timeline and Regional Competition
The October opening followed adjustments from an earlier target date of September 26, 2026, which shifted due to pending occupancy permits and local liquor license approvals. The Beloit casino operates as the seventh and largest gaming property run by the Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin, alongside its six other casinos in the state located in Black River Falls, Madison, Nekoosa, Tomah, Wisconsin Dells, and Wittenberg. The facility is positioned roughly 17 miles north of the Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, Illinois, creating a new entertainment option for visitors traveling across the state line. Celestino Ruffini, CEO of Visit Beloit, noted that the project has already created 600 jobs in a regional tourism sector where about 3,700 people are employed in Rock County.
Future Expansion Plans and Phase Two Schedule
The tribe views the October launch as the first step in a broader master plan rather than the completion of the site. Construction on the second phase of the 33-acre campus is scheduled to feature an 18-story, 312-room hotel and convention center. Tribal officials expect this hospitality expansion to open in the fall of 2027 and bring total employment at the complex to approximately 1,500 workers.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Beloit Casino
When did the Ho-Chunk Gaming Beloit facility open to the public?
The casino officially opened its doors to visitors at 2 p.m. on October 23, 2026, after addressing final municipal liquor licensing and occupancy permit requirements.
How many jobs does the project create for the local economy?
The initial opening created about 600 jobs in the Beloit area. Once the second-phase hotel and convention center opens in the fall of 2027, total employment at the complex is expected to reach approximately 1,500 positions.
What percentage of gaming revenue goes to local and state governments?
Under the revenue-sharing framework, 1.4% of annual net gaming winnings goes to the city of Beloit, 0.6% is allocated to Rock County, and 5% goes to the state of Wisconsin.
Additional Contacts
Contact him at fvaisvilas@usatodayco.com or 815-260-2262.
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