Casino Redevelopment Bid by Boyd Faces Legal Scrutiny
Image: Par-A-Dice Hotel
Boyd Gaming has proposed a casino redevelopment replacing its Par-A-Dice riverboat in East Peoria, Illinois, with a larger “modernized riverboat” that would effectively be a brick-and-mortar casino built above a 1,000‑gallon water basin.
Key Takeaways:
- Boyd Gaming plans to replace Par-A-Dice riverboat with a modern casino above a water basin
- The casino redevelopment challenges longstanding legal agreements and local regulations
- Regional revenue decline prompts innovation but faces potential legal hurdles
Boyd Gaming Outlines Casino Redevelopment
The design, sited adjacent to the existing Par‑A‑Dice Hotel, would include a 29,000‑square‑foot casino, more than 20,000 square feet of meeting space, a steakhouse, a beer pub and expanded gaming positions.
The company says the small basin is intended to satisfy state riverboat rules and preserve East Peoria operations amid declining revenue at the current facility. Par‑A‑Dice slot and table revenue fell from $82.5 million in 2006 to $60.5 million last year according to Casino.org.
Regulators Weigh Boyd’s Compliance Gamble
The casino redevelopment proposal directly confronts a 1991 intercity agreement – set long before Illinois began modernizing its gambling framework and accelerating approvals for new wagering products – that says an authorized land‑based casino must be located on Peoria’s side of the river as reported by Yogonet. Peoria officials said they learned of the plan only at the Illinois Gaming Board presentation and will review next steps.
The basin’s modest size could risk legal and political challenges even as Boyd seeks regulatory approval and aims to keep its regional footprint intact. Legal challenges have been a recurring theme for Par-A-Dice operations, with the property previously resolving a class-action lawsuit over biometric privacy practices.
