Hard Rock Casino Kenosha Proposal | Updates 2023

Nation | Tribe: Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin

HARD ROCK CASINO KENOSHA

Kenosha, Wisconsin

The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin is partnering with Hard Rock International in a second effort to build a casino and entertainment complex in Kenosha, Wisconsin. A previous $800-million proposal was rejected by Gov. Scott in 2015. The new project is scaled down and includes a Hard Rock casino, hotel, concert venue, and Hard Rock Cafe. The proposed building site is 60 acres west of I-94 and north of Highway 50.

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Hard Rock Casino Kenosha

The Menominee Indian Tribe announced a new partnership with Hard Rock International on July 20, 2022 to build a Hard Rock Casino and Hotel in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The location is 60 acres in the Village of Bristol that were purchased by Hard Rock the previous week.

No further datails have been announced at this time.

This is the second attempt by these partners to build a casino in Kenosha. The first effort was rejected by Gov. Scott Walker in 2015 after receiving approvals from the federal, county and city governments.

News Headlines

Kenosha council defers Hard Rock Casino vote until next year November 23, 2023 - The Kenosha Common Council met Monday night to vote on the Menominee Tribe's plan to build a Hard Rock Casino near I-94 and 60th. The casino would have ... Read more Kenosha Hard Rock Casino Update - Nov. 2023 November 14, 2023 - A public hearing for a proposed $350M Hard Rock Casino in Kenosha was held Thursday night. Local residents gave their opinions about the plan to build a Hard Rock Casino ... Read more Kenosha's Hard Rock Casino Update - Aug. 2023 August 18, 2023 - There has been little news regarding the development of the Hard Rock Casino in Kenosha, Wisconsin since the Menominee Indian Tribe unveiled the project about a year ago. ... Read more Kenosha casino approval has less risk than in 2015: Report October 30, 2022 - In 2015 Gov. Scott Walker rejected plans of the Menominee Tribe to build a Hard Rock casino in Kenosha because the state could incur an unlimited liability to the Forest County Potawatomi ... Read more Kenosha Casino Proposal Favored 60% in Poll October 21, 2022 - A new poll announced this month shows 60% of regional residents favor a proposal by the Menominee Tribe to build a Hard Rock Casino in Kenosha County. The poll was commissioned by the Menominee ... Read more Headlines continued...

Hard Rock Kenosha Casino Plan

The Menominee Indian Tribe and Hard Rock International propose building a casino, hotel and entertainment destination in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The future site will be 60 acres west of I-94. No other information has been disclosed.

Gaming

Restaurants

Entertainment

Hotel

Hard Rock Kenosha Casino Plan 2013

Nation | Tribe: Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin

The Menominee Tribe has wanted to build a casino in Kenosha since the 1990s. In 2013 the tribe partnered with Hard Rock to build a $800 million casino resort branded with the name Hard Rock Casino Kenosha.

After years of legal hurdles to obtain federal and local approvals, the tribe only needed state approval from Gov. Scott Walker to proceed with the project. Gov. Walker rejected the casino plan on Jan. 23, 2015.

Hard Rock Kenosha Casino 2013 Plan

The Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin and Hard Rock developed the following plan for a Kenosha casino:

Gaming

• 100,000-square foot gaming floor
• 3,100 slot machines
• 75 table games

Restaurants

• Buffet
• Coffee shop
• Food court
• Sports bar
• Fine dining options

Hotel

• 400-room upscale hotel
• Spa
• Pool
• Convention area

Other

• 5,000-seat multipurpose entertainment facility
• 50,000 square feet of retail space
• Parking for 8,500 vehicles

News Articles

Kenosha council defers Hard Rock Casino vote until next year

November 23, 2023

The Kenosha Common Council met Monday night to vote on the Menominee Tribe's plan to build a Hard Rock Casino near I-94 and 60th. The casino would have 1,500 slot machines, 55 tables, a 2,000-seat concert venue, and a Hard Rock Hotel.

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Kenosha council defers new casino vote | FOX6 News Milwaukee - Courtesy of FOX6 News Milwaukee, Nov 20, 2023 . Available from YouTube

The Council must decide whether to approve the plan, which would transfer 60 acres of city-owned farmland to the tribe for the Hard Rock site. In exchange Kenosha would receive 3% of the casino's net wins in lieu of property tax. The land would then be transferred into federal trust to allow the tribe to conduct casino gambling on the property.

On Monday the Kenosha Common Council unanimously to defer its vote until January 2024. The delay will allow time for more talks.

The Hard Rock Casino still requires state and federal approvals. The Menominee Tribe expects the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs will grant federal approval by next summer.

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Kenosha Hard Rock Casino Update - Nov. 2023

November 14, 2023

A public hearing for a proposed $350 million Hard Rock Casino in Kenosha was held Thursday night. Local residents gave their opinions about the plan by the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin want to build a Hard Rock casino, hotel and entertainment destination on a 60-acre site on County Highway K off I-94.

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Kenosha Hard Rock Casino proposal, public to weigh in - Courtesy of FOX6 News Milwaukee, Nov 9, 2023 . Available from YouTube

After the meeting the Kenosha City Council voted 12 to 3 to give preliminary approval to a revenue agreement with the Menominee Indian Tribe. The Tribe agreed to pay a combined $12 to $15 million per year to the city and county. Final approval is expected in a city council meeting scheduled for Nov. 20. The county board will consider the deal this week.

The Kenosha casino will still need state and federal approvals. The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin is hoping the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs will grant approval by mid-2024.

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Kenosha's Hard Rock Casino Update - Aug. 2023

August 18, 2023

There has been little news regarding the development of the Hard Rock Casino in Kenosha, Wisconsin since the Menominee Indian Tribe unveiled the project about a year ago.

In a recent interview with WGTD, the Menominee tribal chairperson confirmed the casino project is alive and well and proceeding forward.

"We continue to make progress on the project and remain optimistic about its future. As you know, gaining the necessary, multiple approvals for a project like this is more like a marathon rather than a spring, and we continue on that path."

- Gena Kakkak, Menominee Tribal Chairwoman

The approval process is progressing at the local level. An agreement between the city and the tribe is nearly ready for sign-off

At the state level, Gov. Evers needs to sign off on the final plans.

At the federal level the Bureau of Indian Affairs is preparing to review updated information and documents from the tribe.

Chairwoman Kakkak expects the tribe will issue a press release this fall detailing the staus and the progress of the Hard Rock Casino project.

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Kenosha casino approval has less risk than in 2015: Report

October 30, 2022

In 2015 Gov. Scott Walker rejected plans of the Menominee Tribe to build a Hard Rock casino in Kenosha because the state could incur an unlimited liability to the Forest County Potawatomi Community (FCPC) for lost revenue at the Potawatomi Casino in Milwaukee.

A report by the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) last week found the state's liability is now "significantly reduced" if the Menominee Tribe builds a casino in Kenosha. The reason is due to a 2018 amendment to the gaming compact between the state and the Potawatomi tribe. The Potawatomi tribe can no longer withhold tax payments to the state until it proves actual losses from a Kenosha casino. The lifetime withholdings would be limited to $250 million. The state Department of Administration doubts that limit would be reached when the compact expires in 2031.

The Legislative Reference Bureau is a nonpartisan organization that provides research, information, and other services to the Wisconsin Legislature.

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Kenosha Casino Proposal Favored 60% in Poll

October 21, 2022

A new poll announced this month shows 60% of regional residents favor a proposal by the Menominee Indian Tribe to build a Hard Rock Casino in Kenosha County. The poll was commissioned by the Menominee Tribe's gaming authority.

The survey interviewed 300 residents of Kenosha County and 300 residents in Racine, Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties. In Kenosha County the casino proposal is favored by 60% of the respondents, 15% were undecided and 25% are opposed. In the surrounding counties, the casino proposal is favored 63% in Waukesha County, favored 62% in Racine County and favored 58% in Milwaukee County.

A press release from the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin state:

"The Menominee project in partnership with Hard Rock will generate more revenue for both the City and County of Kenosha, and the community overwhelmingly supports the project."

- Ron Corn Sr., Tribal Chairman

The Kenosha casino survey was conducted in the last week of September by the Tarrance Group, based in Virginia.

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Menominee Tribe and Hard Rock partner on new Kenosha casino

July 23, 2022

The Menominee Indian Tribe announced Wednesday it is partnering with Hard Rock again on a new effort to build a casino and entertainment complex in Kenosha County. The project includes a casino, hotel, Hard Rock Live concert center, and a Hard Rock Cafe. The location will be a 60-acre site in the village of Bristol that were purchased last week by Hard Rock for $15 million.

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Evers 'a long way from decision' on Hard Rock casino plans - Courtesy of WISN 12 News, July 20, 2022. Available from YouTube

Tribe chairman Ronald J. Corn confirmed the partnership with Hard Rock and added:

"Much has changed since our 2015 effort, but the needs of our tribe and its members have continued and in some cases grown more acute. We need to make greater investments in health care for our children and elders; we need to make more investments in educating our young people; and we need to do more to reduce the high levels of poverty, hunger, and unemployment on our reservation. A casino and entertainment center in the City of Kenosha is the best path for our tribe to obtain the resources to help achieve those important goals."

- Ronald J. Corn, Menominee Tribal Chairman

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Hard Rock affiliate purchases 60 acres in Kenosha

July 19, 2022

Speculation of a new casino project emerged last week when the Village of Bristol sold 60 acres of land to a company with the same Florida address as the Seminole Tribe of Florida, owners of Hard Rock International. The land is west of I-94 and north of Highway 50.

In 2013 the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin partnered with the Seminole Tribe to build an $800 million Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Kenosha. That plan was rejected by Gov. Scott Walker.

If this is a new casino project emerging in the Kenosha area, Hard Rock may be partnering again with the Menominee Tribe. Wisconsin law requires casinos to be owned by Wisconsin tribes.

More information about the casino plan may be coming soon.

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Is Hard Rock Casino Kenosha plan resurrecting?

May 30, 2022

Hard Rock is resurrecting plans to build a casino near Kenosha according to a report last week by Empower Wisconsin. The new location would be a 16-acre site west of I-94 in Bristol, Wisconsin.

In 2013 Hard Rock proposed building a $800 million hotel and casino at the Dairyland Greyhound Park. The project was a partnership between Menominee Nation and Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. In 2015 the plan was rejected by then-Gov. Scott Walker.

According to Empower Wisconsin, Capitol sources have confirmed a new casino effort is underway to purchase the 16-acre property located 15 miles west of Kenosha. The size of the project would be substantially smaller than the $800 million casino hotel proposed in 2013. Details are not available.

Bristol officials say they have no information about a casino plan in their area.

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News Headlines Continued

2022

Menominee Tribe and Hard Rock partner on new Kenosha casino July 23, 2022 - The Menominee Indian Tribe announced Wednesday it is partnering with Hard Rock on a new effort to build a casino in Kenosha County. The casino will include a hotel, live concert ... Read more Hard Rock affiliate purchases 60 acres in Kenosha July 19, 2022 - Speculation of a new casino project emerged last week when the Village of Bristol sold 60 acres of land to a company with the same Florida address as the Seminole Tribe of Florida, owners of Hard Rock ... Read more Is Hard Rock Casino Kenosha plan resurrecting? May 30, 2022 - Hard Rock is resurrecting plans to build a casino near Kenosha according to Empower Wisconsin last week. The new location would be a 16-acre site west of I-94 in Bristol, WI. In 2013 Hard Rock proposed building ... Read more