This page contains archived news updates for Hard Rock Kenosha from 2022. These items were originally posted on the casino's profile page and have been preserved here as part of the 500 Nations legacy news archive. Major stories from this year may also appear as standalone articles in the main News section.
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.
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.
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.
[No Ads]
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."
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.
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.
Disclaimer: All images are copyright to their respective owners and are used by 500 Nations for informational purposes only.
500 Nations is an independent directory and information service free of any gaming operator's control and not affiliated with any casino.
Warning: You must ensure you meet all age and other regulatory requirements before entering a casino or placing a wager.
There are hundreds of jurisdictions in the world with Internet access and hundreds of different games and gambling opportunities available on the Internet.
Do not assume that Internet gaming sites are in compliance with the rules and regulations of every jurisdiction from which they accept players.
YOU are responsible for determining if it is legal for YOU to play any particular game or place any particular wager under the laws of the jurisdiction where you are located.
$3,000 Casino Welcome Bonus!
Menominee Tribe and Hard Rock partner on new Kenosha casino
