BELOIT, Wis. (WIFR) – A groundbreaking event marks the beginning of construction on Beloit’s casino, set to open in 2026.The event took place on Oct. 25 at the southeast corner of Willowbrook and Colley roads.The event was a jackpot in a journey of more than a decade to get a Ho-Chunk casino in the city.Ho-Chunk Nation breaks ground on Beloit Casino(WIFR)The 240,478 square-foot casino is a $405 million project. It will feature more than 1,500 slot machines, 44 table games, a sportsbook, four restaurants and a casino bar. The gaming venue will be the second largest casino in Wisconsin.Ho-Chunk Nation breaks ground on Beloit Casino(WIFR)A second phase of construction will add a hotel with more than 300 rooms and a conference center.The construction of the casino is expected to create 3,000 jobs, followed by more than 1,500 jobs once the casino opens. Hard Rock Casino Rockford, which opened in August, sits just 20 miles south. Ho-Chunk Nation Vice President Danielle DeLong says she isn’t worried about that.“I do recognize that it may be competition but if you look at Las Vegas it is completely saturated with casinos that are healthy, competing and successful. To me we have a great facility that’s coming here,” said DeLong. “We don’t view Ho-Chunk as competition; we see it as a testament to the popularity of the type of entertainment a casino can offer to the region and to tourism,” Hard Rock President Geno Iafrate said in a statement. Ho-Chunk Nation President Jon Greendeer agrees there is no competition, but says Ho-Chunk is number one.“We’re going to affect Hard Rock, I don’t mean to tough talk, but this is a market, this is a place where businesses in the same interest are going to be trading paint. The Ho-Chunk Nation is the best gamer in the Midwest. I have no problem saying that,” Greendeer said. In his statement, Iafrate says he wishes Hard Rock’s northern neighbors good luck and best wishes with its construction. For more information, visit the Beloit casino website.Copyright 2024 WIFR. All rights reserved.
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