Ho Chunk Nation Opens $705 Million Beloit Casino

The Ho-Chunk Nation opened its $705 million casino in Beloit, Wisconsin, on Friday, October 23. The property is the seventh and largest Wisconsin casino operated by the tribe.

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Good To Know

• The casino offers at least 1,300 slot machines, table games, a steakhouse and a food truck area.
• Visit Beloit reports 600 jobs already created, with another 900 expected through the hotel and conference centre.
• Forecasts put annual net winnings above $150 million, with revenue sharing for Beloit, Rock County and Wisconsin.

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Beloit Casino Opens Ahead Of Hotel Development

The casino opening brings the first 600 jobs from a development that could eventually employ about 1,500 people. Rock County currently has roughly 3,700 travel and tourism workers, according to Visit Beloit CEO Celestino Ruffini.

A hotel and conference centre will follow next year, while plans target fall 2027 for the hotel and parking structure.

Ho-Chunk Nation President Jon Greendeer linked the development to spending across the surrounding economy.

He said:

“We’re going to create those jobs. We’re going to buy those supplies. We’re going to use those services. We’re going to help you grow.”

Nearby Hard Rock Casino Rockford also welcomed the opening. Wendy Alsteen, Vice President of Finance, encouraged visitors to choose the entertainment experience that suited them.

Ho-Chunk Nation Returns To Historic Land

Beyond the casino floor, the project reconnects the tribe with land it began buying back in 1992. Beloit once formed part of Ho-Chunk territory, and tribal villages and places of cultural and spiritual importance remain nearby.

Speaking at the opening, Greendeer described the effort behind the project, as reported by Spectrum News 1.

He said:

“We’ve been fighting 12-headed dragons for over 20 years to make this happen today.

“I’m so happy to see all of our partners come together, like the cast of a Broadway play.”

Tribal Chief Clayton Winneshiek also credited years of collaboration in comments reported by Rockford News First. He described economic development that grew from smoke shops and bingo halls into casinos supporting surrounding communities.

Visitors arrived hours before the doors opened. Traditional drumming and dancing, a flag-raising ceremony, a live DJ and appearances by former NFL players formed part of the celebration.

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