Walker’s Bluff Casino one step closer to reality
WILLIAMSON COUNTY (WSIL) -- The Illinois Gaming Board has approved a request from Walker's Bluff to build a permanent casino during a meeting on Sept. 9. Walker's initially planned to operate a temporatry casino while construction of its permanent structure was underway.
Walker's Bluff revealed plans for a casino, two hotels, event center, and water park in November of 2019, after filing their application with the Gaming Board in October of that same year.
In March 2021, Walker's Bluff announced Elite Casino Resorts now plans to do construction in one phase for the casino and resort.
The development is projected to cost more than $150 million and provide hundreds of jobs.
The proposed permanent casino resort will feature over 650 slot machines, 20 table games, ELITE Sportsbook™, a 116-room hotel, pool, spa, a retail shop, show lounge, event center for concerts and events, and signature restaurants including a family dining outlet, Ruthie’s Steak and Seafood and Draft Day Sports Lounge®.
News 3 has reached out to Walker's Bluff for more details and will update this story as receive them.
The Illinois Gaming Board confirms to News 3 there are multiple steps that still need to be completed before Walker's Bluff can be licensed to operate the casino. Construction though could begin in just a few months if plans are approved.