Published on: August 19, 2025, 01:03h.
Updated on: August 19, 2025, 01:03h.
- Poker has debuted at The Temporary by American Place
- Located in Waukegan, the casino is just north of Chicago
- Full House Resorts is developing a $500 million permanent casino in Waukegan
The Temporary by American Place in Waukegan now features live poker within its expansive 75,000-square-foot space, which also includes 1,000 slot machines, 50 live dealer table games, and a Circa Sportsbook.
Opened in February 2023 by Full House Resorts, The Temporary has proven to be incredibly successful, with gross gaming revenue surging by 27.5% in the last quarter and witnessing over a 42% growth year-over-year in 2024.
Many visitors expressed a desire for poker games, prompting Full House to launch the six-table Harbor Poker Room. Texas hold’em and Omaha poker games are available daily from 9 am to 2 am local time.
“While poker isn’t a primary focus, it’s something we had in mind for the future [of the casino],” stated Jeff Baninski, Vice President and General Manager of American Place. “Our guests expressed interest, so we chose to act sooner.”
These six poker tables are conveniently situated close to the Circa Sportsbook. Reservations for a seat can be made online through Bravo Poker Live.
Poker continues to be one of the leading table games, with approximately 60 million adults in the U.S. engaging in poker at least once annually.
Thriving Initial Year
The Temporary will eventually make way for the larger, permanent American Place Casino Resort, with Full House targeting an opening in August 2027 for the $500 million complex.
The first year for The Temporary has been quite compelling, with American Place achieving $109.7 million in revenue for 2024, which led to adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, and amortization of $29.4 million.
Accounting for 37% of Full House’s 2024 revenue, American Place’s $109.7 million also enriches Full House’s diverse portfolio, which includes Grand Lodge Casino in Incline, NV, Rising Star in Indiana, Silver Slipper in Bay St. Louis, MS, and Chamonix Casino Hotel & Bronco Billy’s Casino in Cripple Creek, CO.
The Future of American Place
Construction on American Place faced prolonged legal delays after an unsuccessful competitor for the Waukegan casino license, the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe of Wisconsin, filed suit against the Illinois Gaming Board and the City of Waukegan following state legislation in 2019.
In their 2021 lawsuit, the tribe claimed their proposal for the casino was disregarded. The Illinois Supreme Court ruled unanimously against the tribe in January 2025, affirming Full House Resorts’ position as the successful bidder for the Waukegan gaming license.
Shortly after, Full House resumed work on the permanent American Place project. Set to be a luxurious resort, American Place will offer “upscale gaming” aimed at “the most discerning players.”
Featuring 1,640 slot machines and 100 table games, the resort will also house a 150-room luxury hotel, featuring 20 exclusive VIP villas in The Mansion.
“Designed to rival the most exclusive venues in Las Vegas, The Mansion will host guests in private villas ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 square feet,” states the American Place Casino website.