HOMEWOOD, Ill. (WLS) — Chicago’s south suburbs showed off their new casino on Thursday.

“This is exactly what we dreamed of and beyond that,” Homewood Mayor Richard Hofeld said.

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Wind Creek Chicago Southland casino is certain to open next week after final approval from the Illinois Gaming Board.

“More than just gaming, it’s much more than a casino. It’s a place you’ll want to come for the ultimate entertainment experience,” said Cathye Amos, director of marketing for Wind Creek Chicago Southland.

Located near Interstate 80 and Halsted Street, the $529 million project is a 75,000-square-foot venue with a casino located within the East Hazel Crest city limits and a parking garage located on adjacent land in Homewood.

It is estimated that the casino could generate approximately $2 million in revenue each year for the Southland region.

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“We’ve been working for 12 years to make this happen, and it’s clear it’s starting to pay off. And it’s worth it,” said East Hazel Crest Mayor Thomas Brown.

Wind Creek’s parent company, which manages nearly a dozen casinos and other gaming properties for the Alabama-based Poarch Band of Creek Indians, received preliminary approval from the state in December 2021 to build and operate the casino as part of the state. Law expanding casino gambling in Illinois.

“We’ve been talking for a long time about how Chicagoans will get to Indiana. This gives them an opportunity to stay here in Illinois and allows us to benefit from spending their dollars here,” said State Representative Will Davis, who represents the Democratic Party. District 30.

Wind Creek will feature approximately 1,400 slot machines and 56 table games.

The casino features a 13,000-square-foot snack bar along with 10,000 square feet of entertainment space, creating more than 1,000 permanent jobs.

In addition to being a beautiful, state-of-the-art facility, some say it’s an experience that rivals any in Las Vegas.

“At the end of the day, all casinos offer the same thing: steakhouses, craps tables. What really makes the difference is the involvement of team members and employees, and that’s really our ace in this area,” said Roger Kuehn, Wind Creek Chicago Southland general manager and executive vice president.

The 16-storey hotel tower is scheduled to open in early 2025.