American Place Casino sets June 3 groundbreaking for permanent Waukegan resort

By AI, Created 3:51 PM UTC, June 01, 2026, /AGP/ – Full House Resorts and American Place Casino will break ground June 3 on the permanent casino facility in Waukegan, Illinois, marking the next phase of a project expected to add jobs, new dining and a larger gaming floor. The move turns the temporary property into a long-term destination and deepens the casino’s investment in the city’s economic development.

Why it matters: - The permanent American Place Casino is positioned as a long-term investment in Waukegan’s entertainment and economic base. - The project is expected to create hundreds of jobs. - The new facility will significantly expand gaming, dining and visitor amenities beyond the temporary casino.

What happened: - Full House Resorts and American Place Casino announced a groundbreaking ceremony for the permanent casino facility on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM. - The ceremony will take place at the future site directly east of the temporary facility in Waukegan, Illinois. - The event will include remarks from Daniel Lee, CEO of Full House Resorts; Jeff Babinski, vice president and general manager of American Place Casino; and Sam Cunningham, mayor of Waukegan.

The details: - The permanent casino is being presented as a major step up in scale and design from the temporary property. - The building will feature upscale architecture, a modern exterior and stronger curb appeal. - The gaming floor will include about 1,300 slot machines and 80 table games. - New dining venues will include a fine-dining steakhouse, a high-energy restaurant and sports bar, and a food hall with local chefs and restaurateurs. - Power Construction and Powers & Sons Construction will lead construction. - WATG is handling the design. - American Place Casino opened in February 2023 and currently operates more than 900 slot machines, dozens of table games, the Harbor Poker Room, a sportsbook, four full-service restaurants, a center bar and year-round entertainment. - The property has been recognized as a 2024-2026 Top Workplace and Culture Excellence honoree. - Interview requests for the leadership team were directed to bwallace@americanplace.com and jivic@americanplace.com. - The casino’s social links include Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Between the lines: - Jeff Babinski framed the permanent buildout as a promise kept after three years in a temporary facility. - The project pairs gaming expansion with food-and-beverage upgrades, signaling a broader push to compete as a regional entertainment destination rather than only a casino. - The focus on local chefs and restaurateurs suggests an effort to tie the property more tightly to the Waukegan market.

What’s next: - Construction will begin after the groundbreaking ceremony. - The current temporary casino will keep operating during the transition. - The permanent facility is expected to open after the buildout is complete, with no opening date announced in the release.

The bottom line: - American Place Casino is moving from temporary outpost to full-scale destination, with a larger gaming floor, new restaurants and a construction plan aimed at jobs and regional growth.