The Menominee Indian Tribe Plans to Construct a $360 Million Har

Wisconsin’s Menominee Indian Tribe is eyeing Kenosha’s gaming market. It wants to develop a $360 million casino resort in the region while collaborating with Hard Rock International. The Seminole Tribe of Florida owns the popular gaming and hospitality brand.

The Kenosha City Council delayed voting on the sale of a parcel of land that the Menominee Tribe is interested in. However, it is currently disclosing subtle details about Hard Rock Kenosha Casino to the public hoping to get councilors’’ support.

Even so, the council is likely to review the sale next month. The Menominee Tribe’s leaders informed Kenosha News this week that the casino will have 70,000 square feet of gaming space, a bookmaker, 55 live dealer table games, electronic table games, and 1,500 slot machines. The hotel will comprise several restaurants including a Hard Rock Cafe, a convention center, and 150 guestrooms.

The Native Tribe predicts it will take about 24 months to construct the casino resort once it receives approvals from local, state, and federal authorities. Joey Awonohopay, the Menominee Kenosha Gaming Authority’s Chairman stated that they believe this is the right time to seek another project approval. He added that they want to start the construction immediately after getting sufficient funding.

Menominee Indian Tribe proposed a $800 million casino in the city in 2015 but then Governor Scott Walker (R) turned it down. He claimed that it was a huge risk to the state’s tax and failed to grant the tribe a Class III gaming compact which it required to offer table games and slots.

Kenosha City has to agree to sell its 60-acre parcel of land to the Menominee Indians before they start constructing Hard Rock Kenosha Casino. Besides, it will broaden its gaming portfolio which comprises its Menominee Casino Resort in Keshena.

The Kenosha City Council hesitated to state its final decision regarding the land’s sale in November until 2024. It has a $15 million tentative price and is located at 60th Street west of Interstate 94. Councillors stated that the project had scanty details.

Councillor Holly Kangas stated while choosing to postpone the sale that the tribe hasn't disclosed enough information about its gaming plan. The federal government has to place the land into trust in case the city will accept to sell it to the tribe. Nevertheless, the tribe has to make a new Class III gaming contract with Governor Tony Evers(D).

The tribe’s leader hopes Kenosha will back their gaming project as it will increase its visitors. Awonohopay stated that it will be a unique property in the region.

Even so, the casino’s opponents claim that it will cause problem gambling. Awonohopay defended it stating that Kenosha will uphold responsible gambling.