Ho-Chunk Nation opens $705 million casino in Beloit, Wisconsin
Opened 23 October; 600 jobs confirmed and 1,500 expected when the full complex is complete
Key Takeaways
- Ho-Chunk Nation opened a $705 million casino in Beloit on 23 October, its seventh and largest in Wisconsin.
- The casino launched with at least 1,300 slot machines, table games, a steakhouse and a food-truck area.
- Visit Beloit reported 600 jobs created at opening, with 900 more expected when the hotel and convention centre open.
- Forecasts estimate annual net revenues above $150 million, with revenue-sharing for Beloit, Rock County and Wisconsin.
- The hotel and parking structure are scheduled to open in fall 2027, and the complete development could employ about 1,500 people.
Ho-Chunk Nation opened its $705 million casino in Beloit, Wisconsin, on Friday 23 October. The facility is the tribe’s seventh and largest casino in Wisconsin and opened prior to construction of the hotel and convention centre.
Facilities and offering
The new casino features at least 1,300 slot machines, table games, a steakhouse and a food-truck area; the venue is listed as a new entry in the [casino](/casino) market. Visit Beloit reported the opening has already generated 600 jobs, and that 900 additional jobs are expected related to the hotel and convention centre.
Employment and economic forecasts
Forecasts place annual net revenues above $150 million, with revenue-sharing mechanisms for the city of Beloit, Rock County and the state of Wisconsin; economic figures were presented at the opening and covered in the [b2b](/b2b) briefing. Rock County currently has about 3,700 workers in travel and tourism, according to Celestino Ruffini, chief executive of Visit Beloit.
The hotel and convention centre will follow in subsequent phases; plans set fall 2027 for the hotel and parking structure opening. The development delivered the initial 600 jobs and could employ about 1,500 people once complete.
Institutional and cultural reaction
Jon Greendeer, president of the Ho-Chunk Nation, linked the investment to local economic spending:
“We’re going to create those jobs. We’re going to buy those supplies. We’re going to use those services. We’re going to help you grow.” — Jon Greendeer
Wendy Alsteen, Vice President of Finance of Hard Rock Casino Rockford, welcomed the opening and encouraged visitors to choose the leisure experience they prefer.
The project also returns land the tribe began repurchasing in 1992. Clayton Winneshiek, tribal chief, highlighted years of collaboration and growth from smoke shops and bingo halls to casinos that support communities, remarks reported by Rockford News First.
Visitors arrived hours before the opening. The ceremony included drums and traditional dances, a flag-raising, a live DJ and appearances by former NFL players, events documented in local [news](/news) coverage.
Gonzalo Marín, Corresponsal de operaciones del sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did the new Ho-Chunk Nation casino in Beloit cost?
The casino cost $705 million and opened on Friday 23 October. The development is part of a complex that will include a hotel and convention centre in later phases.
How many jobs has the opening created and how many are expected?
The opening generated 600 confirmed jobs, and 900 additional jobs are expected linked to the hotel and convention centre, for an estimated total of 1,500 jobs when the development is complete.
What gaming and services does the casino offer?
The casino offers at least 1,300 slot machines, table games, a steakhouse and a food-truck area. The full complex will include a hotel and convention centre in subsequent phases.
What economic impact is projected for the region?
Forecasts place annual net revenues above $150 million, with revenue-sharing arrangements for Beloit, Rock County and the state of Wisconsin, according to figures presented at the opening.
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About the author
Gonzalo Marín
Industry Deals Correspondent
Gonzalo Marín covers the corporate deal flow of gambling — operator strategy, M&A, regulated-market entries, and product launches. The reports open with the transaction, cite companies, valuations, and jurisdictions exactly as released, and keep the announcement apart from its actual effect. When a Latin American operator raises capital or a European brand lands in the region, Gonzalo Marín reports who signs, for how much, and on what terms.
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