Hard Rock Tribal Casino Gets Green Light from Kenosha Council

By Jane Shaw Senior Editor Updated: 01/17/2024

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Hard Rock Tribal Casino

It was recently revealed that the Kenosha city government has approved a $360 million tribal casino development project that was put forward by the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin. This was in collaboration with Hard Rock International. The decision marks a substantial investment in the city’s economy and will be a huge boon to the area, according to officials.

This development, which is known as the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Kenosha, will be constructed on a 60-acre site previously occupied by the Dairyland Greyhound racetrack. The Kenosha Common Council voted 11-6 in favor of selling this city-owned land to the Menominee Tribe for $15 million.

A Major Attraction in the Area

The proposed facility is set to be a major attraction in the area once it is up and running. It will boast a casino floor with 1,500 slot machines and 55 table games, as well as a Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook.

The project includes a 150-room hotel and a range of dining options, including a Hard Rock Café. Entertainment amenities will include a 2,000-seat Hard Rock Live concert hall and a gift shop.

Joey Awonohopay, a spokesperson for the Menominee Tribe, emphasized the project’s positive impact on the community, stating that it will bring more than just a gaming operation to the area. The development is expected to provide a venue for large-scale events, which the city currently lacks. He said:

There’s no local place big enough to hold a large event for a few hundred people, so we’re not just bringing a gaming operation here, we’re bringing all the amenities that come with it.

However, the project’s approval by the Kenosha Common Council is just the initial step in a lengthy process. The Kenosha County Board of Supervisors is expected to vote on the tribal casino later this month.

If the county government endorses the project, the Tribe will need to petition the federal government to place the land into a federal trust and designate it as sovereign territory.

A Hurdle in the Process

It is claimed that a significant hurdle in this process is the extension of the Menominee Tribe’s Class III compact with the state to include this second casino. In 2015, a previous governor rejected the Tribe’s proposal for a larger $800 million casino project in Kenosha. The current Wisconsin governor, Tony Evers, is believed to be more receptive to this new proposal.

Despite the potential economic benefits, some local residents have expressed concerns. Opponents fear that the casino could lead to a decrease in home values and an increase in crime and financial problems in the area.

The approval of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Kenosha marks a major milestone for the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and Hard Rock International. It represents a significant investment in the Kenosha area, and it will bring new entertainment and dining options, as well as economic benefits.

However, it also comes with challenges and concerns that will need to be addressed as the project moves forward through the approval process.