East Peoria Approves New Riverboat Casino

Riverfront gambling operations to be reshaped, impacting jobs, tourism, and tax revenues

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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State officials have approved Boyd Gaming's plan to build a new Par-A-Dice casino on a barge in East Peoria, ending a long-running dispute between Peoria and East Peoria. The project will reshape riverfront gambling operations and could significantly influence jobs, tourism, and tax revenues across the Peoria area.

Why it matters

The new casino is expected to have a significant economic impact on the Peoria region, potentially creating new jobs, attracting more tourism, and generating additional tax revenue for local governments. However, the project has also been a source of tension between the neighboring cities of Peoria and East Peoria.

The details

The new Par-A-Dice casino will be built on a barge in the Illinois River, located in East Peoria. The project ends a long-running dispute between Peoria and East Peoria over riverfront gambling operations. Details on the construction timeline and specific economic impacts are expected to be released soon.

  • State officials approved the casino plan in February 2026.

The players

Boyd Gaming

The company that will be building the new Par-A-Dice casino in East Peoria.

Peoria

The neighboring city that has been in a dispute with East Peoria over riverfront gambling operations.

East Peoria

The city where the new Par-A-Dice casino will be located, ending a long-running dispute with Peoria.

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What’s next

Details on the construction timeline and specific economic impacts of the new casino are expected to be released soon.

The takeaway

The approval of the new Par-A-Dice casino in East Peoria is expected to have a significant impact on the regional economy, but the project has also been a source of tension between the neighboring cities. The full implications of the casino's development remain to be seen.