Ho-Chunk Nation signs compact agreement with Wisconsin for Beloit Casino project

The Ho-Chunk Nation has completed the last regulatory hurdle on its path to building a new casino in Beloit. The nation has signed a compact amendment with the State of Wisconsin, announced Ryan Greendeer, executive government relations officer for the Ho-Chunk Nation. 

While the last hurdle was only cleared now, the $500 million casino kicked off construction on October 25. Tribal/state gaming compacts establish the rules, regulations, and conditions under which tribes may conduct gaming. Wisconsin has gaming compacts with all 11 federally recognized Tribes in the state.

"The Ho-Chunk Nation and the State of Wisconsin have signed a compact amendment that specifically enumerates Beloit/Rock County as a gaming site," Greendeer told Beloit Daily News. "The amendment was submitted to (the U.S. Department of the) Interior for secretarial review. At least 45 days have elapsed since we received confirmation of the submission, so the amendment is approved by operation of law." 

The Ho-Chunk compact regarding Beloit eventually will be published in the Federal Register, an official daily publication of the U.S. government. As noted by Greendeer, Ho-Chunk had a compact with the state that allowed for an additional gaming site, but it did not specify that it would be in Rock County. Ho-Chunk added an amendment listing Rock County.

Miron Construction Co. of Madison workers have been doing extensive site work all through November and December and have set up a mini-village of construction trailers on the land at the corner of Willowbrook and Colley roads in Beloit. Corporate Contractors Inc. is acting as the owners’ representative for the casino project, working with Miron to make sure the project meets Ho-Chunk’s standards.