The Ho-Chunk Nation hopes to get final approvals for its casino resort in Beloit, Wisconsin by the end of this year so it can open in 2021. The project would include a casino, hotel, waterpark and retail development. Ho-Chunk Nation President Wilfrid Cleveland said inter-tribal conflicts and opposition from state and federal officials have been resolved, and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is expected to approve the facility. “A lot of people know it’s been on the table for a number of years and we feel that we’re moving it in a positive direction,” Cleveland said.
Meanwhile, across the state line in Rockford, Illinois, state Senator Dave Syverson continues his push for a casino. He said casinos opened in Illinois to keep money in the state, and that’s still a major concern. “That was clear last year when it was reported that $1.6 billion left Illinois just to go to the five surrounding states for entertainment and casinos in those locations and now you add to it what could be the largest gaming casino in the Midwest in Beloit. Now you’re taking that number over $2 billion a year,” Syverson said.
Syverson sponsored Senate Bill 7 which would allow casinos in Rockford and other cities. A local casino would provide 200-300 jobs plus a hotel that would attract smaller conventions, he said. In addition, the bill would increase video-parlor payouts, including for non-casino communities, and the state’s share of casino revenue would go into a capital fund that could help pay for city or county infrastructure projects.
The bill passed the state Senate last year with bipartisan support. However, it has been stalled in the House Rules Committee since May 2017.
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara supports SB 7. He said he’s had to cut tens of millions of dollars from the city’s budget since the state has had to reduce money it allocates to local governments. He said despite the proliferation of video gambling, they have not made up the difference, making a Rockford casino even more vital. “As proposed, it has a potential to impact us probably between $5 million and $8 million of revenue. Right now, we have nearly 500 gaming machines in our city, and we get about $1.4 million of revenue from those. So it would have a tremendous impact.”
Winnebago County Board Chairman Frank Haney said the county also has to cut deficits while the state decreases funding. He said, “I do know that, with a casino, there is a downside. Not everything is positive. If a casino were to go to Beloit, we would not see additional revenue to our community immediately, but we would have some of the social costs. So then there’s no upside but you’d get some of the downside.”
Syverson is concerned if the legislature continues to delay approving additional casinos, the Beloit resort will be operational before a Rockford casino could open. Haney asked, “Can we get momentum going for a serious discussion around the casino? Or will they punt to the other side of the election? I don’t know that information. But I think, either way, you have multiple local entities working with our state delegation to prompt or to push or advance that discussion, and I’m hopeful.”
