The Temporary by American Place casino opened Friday, February 17 in Waukegan, Illinois with a private VIP event and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Then, according to the Temporary Vice President and General Manager Jeff Babinski, more than 14,000 visitors checked out the facility in the following two and a half days.
The Temporary features 1,000 slot machines, 28 table games, the L’Américain sit-down restaurant, center bar and two Airstream trailers serving food and drinks. Twenty-two additional table games will be installed and two more restaurants, Asia-Azteca and North Shore Steaks & Seafood, will open in the coming weeks, Babinski said.
Developed by Full House Resorts Inc., construction on the permanent casino is expected to start later this year. Babinski said plans call for 1,640 slot machines, 100 table games, a multitiered, 1,500-seat entertainment venue, 20-room private VIP villa with butlers and spa services available, plus a helipad for high rollers.
Mayor Ann Taylor said, “The American Place casino is the biggest development we’ve had in Waukegan in years, and it is incredible that we have finally reached this critical milestone of opening the Temporary. This casino will serve as an economic engine for the greater Lake County region and beyond, bringing new jobs and visitors to our city and Fountain Square.”
Babinski noted, “We have been working diligently with the state of Illinois to ensure that we could provide a first-class customer experience and did not want to open until we were fully ready.”
In a presentation to investors last year, casino officials said American Place will be the closest casino for 1.2 million people in Lake County and southern Wisconsin.
