Peoria Casino Relocation Dispute Pits Boyd Gaming Against City Officials
According to Peoria Mayor Rita Ali, Boyd Gaming must either build a land-based casino within the city limits or sell its license to someone who will.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:In February, Ali sent a letter to the Illinois Gaming Control Board. The Mayor cited an agreement from 1991 in which it stated any land-based casinos must be built on Peoria’s side of the Illinois River.
Right now, Boyd’s Par-A-Dice Diverboa Casino is in East Peoria. The company has hinted toward upgrades in 2026, but hasn’t committed to a relocation.
“If Boyd is not prepared to develop land-based gaming and related facilities in Peoria, we ask that the IGB require Boyd to sell the Par-A-Dice gaming license”, Ali wrote. She also warned East Peoria officials not to “manipulate” definitions of “riverboat” and “land-based” gaming to keep the casino.
East Peoria Mayor John Kahl has pushed back, though, saying he wouldn’t tell a private business where to operate. He also dismissed the public efforts, saying Peoria is “running their mouth”.
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Also in February, Boyd Gaming CEO Keith Smith told investors that the company had plans to open a replacement for Par-A-Dice valued at $100 million. This would be similar to a casino that opened in Louisiana.
However, Marcus Frutcher, the Illinois Gaming Board Administrator, told them that they weren’t required to build on land. Frutcher mentioned three legal options: a propelled excursion boat, a permanently moored barge, or a land-based facility.
Frutcher did say that Boyd must provide a “good faith development plan” that meets state law and board rules. How it fulfils those obligations is up for Boyd to decide.
However, on July 1, Frutcher sent another letter. He said that any redevelopment must comply with laws permitting gaming in East Peoria “on the Illinois River” and “land-based gambling operations” in Peoria.
Frutcher added that the board remains committed to being transparent and providing a compliant approval process.
Peoria City Manager Patrick Urich and Mayor Ali declined to comment when asked by the Peoria Journal Star and journalist JJ Bullock.
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