Ho-Chunk Nation announces plans for expansion of gaming facility

Tuesday, February 5, 2019  

The Ho-Chunk Nation announced a major expansion of one of its gaming facilities in Wisconsin.

The tribe plans to add a hotel with 150 to 200 rooms, a 15,000 square-foot conference and entertainment center, and a 30,000 square-foot museum and cultural center to the Ho-Chunk Gaming in Madison. And the casino itself would see an additional 145,000 square-feet of space.

“We are trying to create an entertainment district," general manager Dan Brown, who is a tribal citizen, told WISN.

The casino is located on trust land in the city of Madison, the state capital. The tribe also owns an additional 49 acres at the site, according to prior reports.

It hasn't been reported if those lands are in trust. But the tribe will be presenting its plans to city officials to gain the necessary approvals.

Separately, the tribe is pursuing an off-reservation casino in Beloit, about 49 miles from the Madison site. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is in the process of reviewing the environmental impact statement for the project.

If the BIA approves, the tribe would still need approval from Gov. Tony Evers (D), who took office in January. He has previously expressed support for the project.

The tribe operates six gaming facilities on its territory in Wisconsin.

Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison to start city approval process for major expansion with hotel, Heritage Center and more (The Madison Capital Times February 4, 2019)
Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison announces major expansion (WISC February 4, 2019)

Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Ho-Chunk Nation Fee-to-Trust and Casino Project, City of Beloit, Rock County, Wisconsin (November 9, 2018)
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Ho-Chunk Nation Beloit Casino Project, City of Beloit, Rock County, WI (November 26, 2012)

Ho-Chunk Nation sees support for off-reservation casino (December 13, 2018)
Public hearings set for two off-reservation casinos in Midwest (December 10, 2018)
Ho-Chunk Nation prepares for public hearing on casino project (November 19, 2018)
Ho-Chunk Nation takes step forward with off-reservation casino (November 12, 2018)
Ho-Chunk Nation still waiting for movement on off-reservation casino (April 24, 2018)
Candidate vows to approve Ho-Chunk Nation off-reservation casino (February 8, 2018)
Ho-Chunk Nation still waiting for action on off-reservation casino (February 6, 2018)
Ho-Chunk Nation committed to off-reservation casino despite uncertainty in Trump era (December 19, 2017)
Ho-Chunk Nation sees support from Congress in bid for off-reservation casino (September 25, 2017)
Ho-Chunk Nation outlines optimistic schedule for stalled off-reservation casino (August 9, 2017)
Ho-Chunk Nation sees more support for off-reservation casino in Wisconsin (July 21, 2017)
Ho-Chunk Nation remains hopeful for off-reservation casino in Wisconsin (July 19, 2017)
Ho-Chunk Nation still pushing off-reservation casino in Wisconsin (January 3, 2017)