Ho-Chunk Gaming Beloit Delays Grand Opening to Oct. 23
BELOIT, Wis., Sept. 23, 2026 - The long-awaited grand opening of Ho-Chunk Gaming Beloit has been moved from Sept. 26 to Oct. 23, 2026, the Ho-Chunk Nation announced Wednesday, just three days before the casino's previously scheduled opening.
The Ho-Chunk Nation did not give a reason for the change in its Sept. 23 press statement. Instead, the Nation announced new details about what guests can expect when the first phase opens next month, including 1,300 slot machines, a wide selection of table games and poker, dining and entertainment venues, and a parking garage.
"The grand opening of the Ho-Chunk Gaming Beloit will take place on October 23, 2026," Ho-Chunk Nation President Jon Greendeer said in the announcement.
Casino, Dining and Entertainment Open Oct. 23
The first phase will include the casino, Draft Pick Pub House, Black River Coffee Shop, Livewire Lounge, Food Truck Alley and the parking garage.
The casino floor will operate 24 hours a day and open with 1,300 slot machines.
Table and poker games announced for opening include Blackjack, 3-Card Poker, Mississippi Stud, Ultimate Texas Hold'Em, Roulette, Craps, Baccarat, I Love Suits and live Hold'Em poker.
The newly announced 1,300-machine count provides a more specific picture of the casino's opening-day gaming floor than earlier plans, which had projected a larger gaming inventory.
$3,000 Casino Welcome Bonus!Grand Opening Celebration
The Oct. 23 grand opening will feature entertainment, Ho-Chunk culture, special giveaways and other activities, according to the Nation.
The Ho-Chunk Nation said the event will be an opportunity to welcome guests to its newest gaming facility and celebrate the milestone with the surrounding community. A detailed schedule of grand-opening activities was not included in the Sept. 23 announcement.
Hotel and Convention Center Coming in Fall 2027
Opening the casino will mark only the first phase of the development.
Construction will continue on the project's hotel and convention center, which the Ho-Chunk Nation now says are scheduled to open in fall 2027. Their completion will mark the opening of the full resort.
Once the entire resort is completed, the Ho-Chunk Nation aims to have approximately 1,500 employees working at Ho-Chunk Gaming Beloit.
A Project in Development Since 2012
The Oct. 23 opening will mark a major milestone for a project the Ho-Chunk Nation says has been in development since 2012.
The Beloit area also has deep historical significance for the Ho-Chunk people. In its announcement, the Nation highlighted the historic Ho-Chunk village in the Beloit area known as "Keecak," pronounced kay-chunk. The name is also associated with turtle in the Ho-Chunk language.
Greendeer connected that history with the significance of opening the Nation's newest gaming destination in Beloit.
"We can't believe it's finally happening and we are extremely excited," Greendeer said. "We hold so much history in this area and now we can say we hold an amazing future to share with our friends and partners in the state line region."
New Opening Date: Oct. 23, 2026
Ho-Chunk Gaming Beloit had been scheduled to open Sept. 26. The Ho-Chunk Nation's Sept. 23 announcement establishes Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, as the new grand-opening date.
The Nation did not announce a reason for moving the opening date.
When the doors open Oct. 23, guests will initially have access to the casino, Draft Pick Pub House, Black River Coffee Shop, Livewire Lounge, Food Truck Alley and the parking garage. The hotel and convention center will follow in fall 2027 to complete the resort.
