Ho-Chunk to open Beloit casino Oct. 23
Summary
The Ho-Chunk Nation announced it will open its new casino in Beloit, Wisconsin, at 2 p.m. on October 23. The casino, located near the corner of Willowbrook and Colley roads, is the first phase of a massive 1.2-million-square-foot casino, hotel, and convention center project expected to cost at least $705 million. After roughly 25 years of development efforts, the Ho-Chunk Nation broke ground in October 2024. Beloit City Manager Daniel Ortiz Hernandez welcomed the development, expressing the city's eagerness to partner with the Ho-Chunk Nation going forward. The casino will be Wisconsin's second largest, featuring 1,300 slot machines, live table games including Blackjack, poker, and Baccarat, and four restaurants. An 18-story, 312-room hotel and convention center is expected to be completed as part of the second phase sometime in 2027, potentially employing up to 1,500 people and making the Nation the city's largest employer. Under a federal gaming compact, the Ho-Chunk Nation will pay 5% of gross gaming revenue to the state (increasing to 5.5% if revenue exceeds $350 million), while the City of Beloit will receive 1.4% and Rock County 0.6%. The Ho-Chunk Nation currently operates six casinos in Wisconsin.
(Source:Beloit Daily News)