Published on: February 1, 2026, 10:52h.
Updated on: February 1, 2026, 10:52h.
- Peoria’s city government is backing down from its opposition to a new casino in East Peoria
- Officials in Peoria are retracting their efforts to block Boyd Gaming’s proposal for the Par-A-Dice casino
The municipalities of Peoria and East Peoria in Illinois are on the brink of resolving their conflict regarding the proposed Par-A-Dice casino and resort along the Illinois River.
A special meeting of the Peoria City Council scheduled for Monday is likely to endorse an agreement that settles the city’s concerns regarding Boyd Gaming’s plans for a new casino in East Peoria.
A 1991 agreement between Peoria and East Peoria stipulated that all riverboat gaming operations should occur on the eastern bank of the river within East Peoria. Should a land-based casino be established, it would need to be located in Peoria.
Boyd Gaming aims to build a $160 million “upgraded riverboat” in East Peoria, featuring a 1,000-gallon water basin sourced from the Illinois River, intended to fulfill the water criteria beneath the forthcoming gaming floor, comparable in size to a residential water tank.
Legal Dispute Averted
Tomorrow evening, Peoria city officials are anticipated to retract their legal challenge regarding whether the tidal basin meets the riverboat gaming definitions as outlined in the Illinois Riverboat Gambling Act. While both municipalities have typically shared the 5% local gaming tax generated by Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino, only East Peoria reaps benefits from the resort’s property, sales, and amusement taxes.
“The Parties have reached an agreement and wish to avoid the uncertainties and costs associated with prolonged litigation over the Redevelopment Plan,” noted Peoria City Council documents for the special meeting.
“As part of the Settlement Agreement, Peoria will receive a share of reported adjusted gross gaming revenues generated at the newly developed gaming facility once it opens. The city had pursued claims for non-gaming revenues, including property and sales taxes, that would have been collected had the new facility been situated in Peoria. Peoria has withdrawn its objections to the Redevelopment Plan and its design, consented to support the Plan, and will no longer contest the approval by the Illinois Gaming Board,” the documents detailed.
Although the vote is expected to pass, it may not be unanimous; some council members have raised concerns regarding Boyd’s fulfillment of the water requirement. At-Large Councilor Zachary Oyler described the design as “remarkably insincere.”
The Riverboat Gambling Act does not specify the amount of water required for a riverboat casino to be deemed valid.
Updates on Boyd’s Casino
Boyd’s redevelopment plans for Par-A-Dice include a 29,000-square-foot casino that, except for the tidal basin, will be land-based. The structure is set to be placed adjacent to the southern side of the existing Par-A-Dice Hotel, which currently serves as a parking area.
Additionally, the project will feature over 20,000 square feet of meeting space, a high-end steakhouse, a beer pub, and a porte-cochere.