Ho Chunk Casino Beloit is officially open. The Ho-Chunk Nation celebrated the grand opening of Ho Chunk Gaming Beloit, the first phase of a large entertainment and resort project in Beloit, Wisconsin.
The new casino is located just north of the Illinois-Wisconsin state line, near Interstate 90.
That location puts it within easy driving distance of Rockford and other northern Illinois communities, making Ho Chunk Gaming Beloit a major new option for visitors from both states.
The Ho-Chunk Nation is also building a casino near Lincoln, Nebraska.
What Is Open at Ho Chunk Gaming Beloit?
The first phase of Ho Chunk Casino Beloit includes a large gaming floor, several places to eat and drink, live entertainment space, and a parking garage. The full development is planned to cover about 240,000 square feet, with the gaming area often described as roughly 65,000 square feet.
Visitors will find approximately 1,300 slot machines and table games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, Texas Hold’em, Mississippi Stud, three-card poker, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em. Some sources list 33 table games at opening, while the official Ho Chunk Gaming Beloit website lists 44; guests should check the casino’s official site for the most current details.
The casino is open 24 hours a day. Reports also describe a retail sportsbook, giving sports fans another reason to visit the property.
Food, Drinks, and Entertainment
Ho Chunk Gaming Beloit is designed to be more than a casino. The opening phase includes several food and beverage options, including:
- Draft Picks Pub House, a two-level sports bar with large screens
- Food Truck Alley, featuring concepts such as Playin’ Chicken, Maskadores, and Bread Busterz
- Live Wire Lounge, a center bar with space for live music
- Black River Coffee Shop
- FYR, an upscale steakhouse expected to open shortly after the casino��s launch
The grand opening celebration included a ribbon-cutting, traditional Ho-Chunk drumming and dancing, a mini powwow, speeches, live entertainment, and a large crowd. The casino opened to the public at 2 p.m. that day.
Where Is Ho Chunk Casino Beloit?
The property sits near I-90 and is roughly half a mile from the Wisconsin-Illinois border. It is also about 17 to 18 miles from Hard Rock Casino Rockford, which may make the Beloit area a bigger stop for travelers crossing the state line.
A Long-Awaited Project
The opening of Ho Chunk Casino Beloit followed nearly three decades of planning. Beloit voters approved a casino concept in a 1999 referendum, and the Ho-Chunk Nation later purchased land in the area. The project moved forward through federal and state approvals, including Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ approval in 2021, before construction began in October 2024.
The Ho-Chunk Nation owns and operates the casino. Beloit has historical importance to the Ho-Chunk people, and tribal leaders have described the project as an important investment in both the community and the Nation’s future.
Jobs and Local Impact
Ho Chunk Casino Beloit opened with more than 600 employees, with a goal of reaching about 800 workers in the early period. Once the hotel and conference center are complete, employment is expected to grow to about 1,500 people, making the development one of Beloit’s largest employers.
Leaders have described the project as a major economic boost for Beloit, Rock County, and the Ho-Chunk Nation. A portion of gaming revenue is expected to support local and state entities.
What Is Coming in Fall 2027?
The casino is only the first part of the project. A second phase is scheduled to open in fall 2027 and will include:
- An 18-story hotel with 312 rooms
- A rooftop lounge
- A lobby bar
- A pool and spa
- A 2,000-seat conference and event center
When complete, Ho Chunk Gaming Beloit will become a full resort destination with gaming, dining, hotel rooms, meetings, concerts, and event space. Itis now one of the most significant new entertainment destinations in southern Wisconsin.
With its convenient location near the Illinois border, large gaming floor, dining choices, and future hotel and conference center, Ho Chunk Gaming Beloit is positioned to attract visitors from Beloit, Rockford, and the wider stateline region.
