Kenosha’s $360M Casino Project Faces Delay Over Transparency Concerns
A proposed $360 million casino in Kenosha, Wisconsin, has hit a delay. The Kenosha County Board voted 13-7 to postpone reviewing the intergovernmental contract with the Menominee Tribe until January 16, 2024. The decision follows mixed votes from local committees and concerns over transparency and planning.
The Menominee Tribe and Hard Rock International plan to build the casino on 60 acres west of Interstate 94. If approved, the project could generate yearly profits of $250 to $295 million. Under the agreement, local governments would receive about 5% of net gaming income—an estimated $12 to $15 million annually.
Kenosha County stands to gain over $33 million in the first decade and more than $48.7 million in the following ten years. The city of Kenosha would also receive $12 to $15 million yearly for two decades. However, the City Council delayed its own decision until January 3, 2023, citing concerns over the speed of contract negotiations, traffic impact, public transparency, and potential effects on property values. Local committees remain divided. The Finance Committee rejected the contract in a 4-3 vote, while the Legislative Committee supported it 4-2. Some supervisors pushed for an indefinite delay to restart the evaluation process entirely.
The casino's future now depends on upcoming votes in January. If approved, the project would bring significant revenue to Kenosha County and the city. For now, both sides await further review before moving forward.
