New Hard Rock Casino Could Come to Wisconsin After Approval

Article by : Erik Gibbs Jan 8, 2024

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On Wednesday, the Kenosha Common Council endorsed a new Hard Rock casino proposed by the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin with an 11-6 vote. The Kenosha County Board is scheduled to cast its vote on January 16, with federal approval being an additional requirement.

This decision by the Common Council follows a delay in November aimed at providing extra time for community members and Council representatives to examine the proposed plan thoroughly.

Situated to the southwest of I-94 and 60th Street in Kenosha, the casino location encompasses 60 acres. It will reportedly require an investment of approximately $350 million, and the development is projected to create around 850 jobs during the construction phase and an additional 1,000 jobs upon completion.

The casino itself is planned to include gaming tables, 150 hotel rooms, a pool, a spacious live entertainment venue and a Hard Rock Cafe. The potential establishment of the casino has led to a variety of responses within the Kenosha community.

Some residents acknowledge the positive aspect of creating union jobs but express concerns about potential adverse consequences in the long run, such as a rise in drunken driving and crime due to the casino’s presence.

Conversely, union workers have displayed endorsement for the project, emphasizing its capacity to generate a substantial number of jobs.

The Menominee Indian Tribe has asserted that introducing a casino in Kenosha would play a significant role in mitigating poverty within its tribe.

Additionally, this endeavor requires approval from both the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs and the governor of Wisconsin.

Back in 2015, the Menominee Nation sought permission from then-Gov. Scott Walker to construct an off-reservation casino in Kenosha, but the request was denied.

The rejection hinged on the prospective financial obligations the state might have assumed towards the Forest County Potawatomi tribe, proprietors of a casino in Milwaukee.

According to the official agreement enacted by authorities and tribal representatives, the Menominee tribe would be exempt from property taxes for the site, but the gaming authority would contribute 3% of the “net win” as payments to the city.

These payments would be dispensed every quarter, ensuring a minimum annual disbursement of $100,000.

Subsequently, the minimum yearly payment is slated to escalate to $1 million from the third year of the agreement until the eighth year. In the ninth year, the minimum payment would experience a further increase to $2.5 million.

After 20 years, there is a provision for renegotiating these payments, and subsequently, renegotiation can occur after each successive decade.