Wisconsin governor approves plans for Ho-Chunk casino

Governor Tony Evers has approved the casino and entertainment venue saying it will create jobs and boost the local economy.

US.- Wisconsin’s governor, Tony Evers, has approved plans for a $405m Ho-Chunk Nation casino and entertainment complex in Beloit.

The property will be situated just north of the Illinois border and will include one of the biggest casinos in the state, a convention centre, a 300-room hotel and a 40,000-square-foot indoor water park.

The Department of the Interior approved the site in April but the state governor has the final say.

Gov. Evers, a Democrat, had already promised he would approve the project when running for governor back in 2018.

He said in a statement that he hoped the casino would help boost the state’s economy after the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said: “As we work to bounce back from this pandemic, we must do everything we can to support economic development in communities across our state.” 

According to Evers, the complex will create over 2,000 construction jobs and over 1,500 long-term jobs for the local area.

Karena Thundercloud, president Ho-Chunk Nation Vice President, which runs three other casinos in Wisconsin, said: “We’ve been focusing so much time and effort on our COVID-19 response that it’s almost surreal to have this great news of the Governor’s concurrence today.

“We look forward to the day when we can celebrate everybody who is helping this project along.”

Meanwhile, a Hard Rock casino in Rockford, Illinois, around 20 miles from Beloit, also continues to progress having gained preliminary approval from the Illinois Gaming Board.