Waukegan’s casino future secured as court dismisses Potawatomi case

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has officially dismissed the Forest County Potawatomi Community’s federal lawsuit against Waukegan, Illinois, effectively ending a legal fight that has stretched on for nearly six years.

The decision removes the final obstacle standing in the way of Full House Resorts’ casino project, which had been tangled in litigation since Waukegan first began its casino licensing process in 2019.

The dispute started when Waukegan’s city council selected three casino operators to advance in the Illinois Gaming Board’s review, leaving the Potawatomi tribe out.

Feeling the process was unfair, the tribe sued, alleging that Waukegan had deliberately shut them out in favor of other bidders.

So over the years, they took their challenge through multiple courts, seeking to overturn the city’s decision.

But, despite their efforts, the court found no evidence that Waukegan had intentionally discriminated against the Potawatomi.

The judges noted that the tribe had offered less money for the proposed casino site and did not include an entertainment venue in their proposal, unlike competing bidders.

The court acknowledged that Waukegan’s selection process may not have been perfect, but it ruled that any flaws in the process did not amount to intentional wrongdoing.

With the legal fight now over, Full House Resorts is moving full speed ahead on its permanent casino project.

With a lot of money in the game, the company has already been running a temporary gaming facility in Waukegan and is now preparing to break ground on a full-scale venue, which is expected to bring in significant tax revenue, create jobs, and boost the local economy.

While disputes like this can stall brick-and-mortar casino developments for years, and sometimes decades, many players are turning to eth casinos, where they can enjoy instant access to games without the delays and boring rules that come with land-based gambling.

With faster transactions and secure crypto technology, these platforms provide an alternative for those who want to play without the uncertainty that often surrounds casino projects like the one in Waukegan.

City officials have welcomed the ruling, stating that Waukegan’s selection process was fair and based on solid business considerations.

They maintain that the Potawatomi’s proposal simply didn’t meet the city’s criteria as well as those of the selected bidders.

With the courts repeatedly siding with Waukegan, officials are ready to put the dispute behind them and focus on moving forward.

The tribe is now under the pressure, they could request a rehearing before the full appellate panel or try to take their case to the U.S. Supreme Court, but legal experts see little chance of success.

After years of courtroom battles, the tribe may have no choice but to accept the outcome and look for new opportunities elsewhere.

The project now waits for paperwork, and all regulatory requirements, before full-scale construction.

The casino, once completed, is expected to boost the local economy, bringing millions in revenue and solidifying Waukegan’s place in the growing casino market.

With this ruling, Waukegan’s long-delayed casino project is finally on the right track, with all legal roadblocks behind it.