BIA issues favorable Environmental Assessment for Menominee Kenosha casino

The Bureau of Indian Affairs issued a favorable Environmental Assessment for the Menominee Indian Tribe's proposed Hard Rock Hotel &. Casino Kenosha, according to a BIA notice published May 19, 2026, advancing the $360 million project toward its next regulatory steps.

The BIA found that construction and operation of the casino resort on roughly 60 acres near Interstate 94 in Kenosha would result in an "insignificant" impact on air quality and would not affect wetlands or protected aquatic resources, according to the Menominee Tribe's announcement. The assessment is a standard step under the National Environmental Policy Act before the BIA can approve a land-into-trust application. The BIA has opened a public comment period on the assessment. a docket number had not been published as of the date of this report.

Why it matters

The favorable EA is a regulatory milestone for a project that has been in development for more than a decade. Two approvals remain: the BIA taking the land into federal trust and a Class III gaming compact with Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. If both are secured, players in the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor would gain a new Hard Rock venue offering slots, table games, and a sportsbook at a site roughly midway between the two metro areas.

Main development

The tribe holds a buy option on the former Dairyland Greyhound Park property, valued at $15 million according to the city of Kenosha. The project includes a 150-room hotel, a 2,000-seat Hard Rock Live venue, 1,500 slot machines, more than 50 table games, and a sportsbook, according to the Menominee Tribe and Hard Rock. Under the city's agreement with the Menominee and Hard Rock, the casino would pay Kenosha $100,000 annually through the first three years, according to the city's deal language.

What players can expect

If the project clears the remaining regulatory hurdles, the Hard Rock Kenosha would offer a full suite of Class III gaming options. The site near Interstate 94 is positioned to draw from both the Chicago and Milwaukee markets. The tribe has pursued a Class III gaming resort in Kenosha for more than a decade.

What remains unclear

The exact timeline for the public comment period and the subsequent BIA land-into-trust decision has not been specified. Compact negotiations with Governor Evers also lack a defined schedule. Evers leaves office in January 2027 and has stated publicly that "all tribal nations have the right" to pursue tribal casinos on their federally recognized lands. The positions of other tribes, including the Potawatomi Tribe, have not been disclosed.

Permanent job totals and local revenue-sharing percentages have not been finalized.

What happens next

After the public comment period closes, the BIA will decide whether to take the land into federal trust. If approved, the tribe must negotiate a Class III gaming compact with Governor Evers. The compact requires approval from the state legislature and the federal government before the casino can open.