Wind Creek Chicago Southland said Monday more than 50,000 people had visited the casino in its first few days of operation, exceeding its expectations.
Southwest of Halsted Street and Interstates 80/94 in East Hazel Crest, the casino opened to patrons Nov. 11, with hundreds of people lining up in advance of the 11 a.m. opening.
The casino property straddles East Hazel Crest and Homewood, and mayors of both communities said there had not been any calls for assistance for police or fire.
“After the first day things went very well,” Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld said Monday. “They know what they’re doing.”
People were lining up at 7 a.m. Nov. 11, hours before the 11 a.m. opening, East Hazel Crest Mayor Tom Brown said Monday.
“Since then it has gone smoothly,” he said.
The casino “had a few minor challenges” at the start, but “our team has been quick to handle them and keep things running smoothly,” Roger Kuehn, the casino’s executive vice president and general manager, said in an email Monday.
“Guests have had great things to say about the property’s design, the food, and the service,” Kuehn wrote. “Overall, they’re really enjoying their experience.”
The casino itself is in East Hazel Crest and adjacent parking garages are in Homewood. The two communities have a revenue sharing agreement that’s been in place since 2012, and some of the gaming revenue will flow to more than 40 other south suburbs.
The casino’s parking lot as well as parking garage quickly filled to capacity the first day, and Wind Creek staff at one point had to direct people to turn around.
Mike Nolan / Daily Southtown
Wind Creek Chicago Southland casino on opening day, Nov. 11, 2024. (Mike Nolan / Daily Southtown)
Brown and Hofeld said they both walked through the casino opening day and heard positive comments.
“People are trying it out and it’s been well received,” Hofeld said Monday. “It’s a great attraction for the Southland.”
Wind Creek is a subsidiary of PCI Gaming Authority Inc., which manages 10 casinos and other gambling properties on behalf of the Alabama-based Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
The Southland casino, at 17300 S. Halsted St., spans 75,000 square feet. A 16-story, 252-room hotel with a spa and a steakhouse on the top floor is scheduled to open early next year. The restaurant will have both indoor and outdoor seating, and Hofeld said Chicago’s skyline is visible from the restaurant.
The casino also has a food court and an entertainment venue to host concerts is planned.
Hofeld said while children are not allowed in the casino itself, “you could bring families there to try out the different food options.”
“It’s a nice experience,” he said.
To supplement Wind Creek security, police from East Hazel Crest and Homewood patrol the property.
Brown and Hofeld said they had not heard any reports from their police or fire departments about calls for assistance during the first week.
Wind Creek is projecting gross gaming revenues approaching $160 million a year by 2025.
As part of its license application, Wind Creek has promised to establish the Southland Public Benefit Fund.
Initially, Wind Creek plans to distribute $150,000 annually during the first five years of operation, with the money providing scholarships to disadvantaged students in the south suburbs and helping bolster access to health care.
Wind Creek said it intends to create a fund of $20 million after five years to boost yearly disbursements to $1 million.
The 2019 law that provided a license for a land-based casino in the south suburb provides for the host community and 42 other south suburbs to share in 5% of revenue generated by the casino.
“The fact that other communities will be able to share (gambling revenue) is really nice,” Brown said.
He said that some residents spoke favorably of the casino at his village’s board meeting last week, after Wind Creek had opened.
“Everybody seems to be very pleased,” Brown said.
mnolan@southtownstar.com
