Hundreds of slot machines, dozens of table games — like blackjack, roulette and craps — along with a variety of restaurants were always part of the plan when American Place opened its temporary casino more than two years ago while planning a permanent gaming resort to open a few years later.

Initially, Jeff Babinski, American Place’s vice president and general manager, said a poker room was something that would wait until the permanent facility opened. Then, he had second thoughts and a decision to open one in the temporary facility was made.

“It’s not a huge part of what we do, and it was something we planned for the permanent,” he said. “We heard from our guests it was something they would like to see. So, we decided not to wait.”

American Place and Waukegan officials cut a ribbon to

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