Construction of Full House Resorts’ permanent casino in Waukegan, Illinois may be delayed due to the Forest County Potawatomi Community’s revived lawsuit against the city and the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB), said Full House Chief Executive Officer Dan Lee in a quarterly earnings call. The tribe alleges the selection process was a “sham.”
The gaming board selected Full House to receive the Waukegan casino license nearly two years ago. The company’s temporary casino has generated more than $30 million in adjusted gross income since its February opening through June.
Lee said Full House Resorts planned to begin construction on its $400 million American Place upscale casino property, featuring ultra-luxurious villas and a helicopter landing pad, later this year and open in 2025.
However, Lee said the tribe’s lawsuit “may end up delaying our start of construction and financing” for the permanent facility. “We haven’t started construction yet, but we are actively designing it. I think ultimately the suits will end up being resolved and then everything can go forward,” Lee said.
Potawatomi attorneys claim the license selection process was flawed because former Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham told city council members which bids to approve for forwarding to the IGB, even though the tribe received a good rating from a consultant hired by the city. But tribal lawyers said another bid was supported by state Senator Michael Bond, owner of the video gambling machine company Tap Room Gaming, who contributed thousands of dollars to local election campaigns.
The tribe filed a lawsuit in Cook County to stop the IGB from issuing the license that ultimately went to Full House. A Cook County judge dismissed that lawsuit but last month the Illinois First District Appellate Court revived the case, stating the tribe has standing to continue the suit. T
he appellate court also said the IGB could restart the application process if the Potawatomi win the case. A federal lawsuit still is pending.
In court filings, Waukegan attorneys stated the tribe’s claims are “factually suspect” and are merely an attempt to stop any competition with its Potawatomi casino in Milwaukee. Waukegan city officials have until early September to decide whether to appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court or proceed with the county case.
