Illinois: Boyd Gaming says it’s working through final designs for new casino to replace Par-A-Dice

Boyd Gaming is working through the final design and regulatory approval process for its “modern, new entertainment facility” that will replace the Par-A-Dice Riverboat Casino in East Peoria, Boyd Gaming CEO Keith Smith told investors on Thursday.

Smith did not divulge any specific details about the project on a call with investors but did say if the new casino, the location of which remains a mystery, receives regulatory approval this year, construction is expected to begin in 2026.

The biggest question that remains unanswered about Boyd Gaming’s new facility planned is if it will be on the Peoria or East Peoria side of the Illinois River. The answer to that question, which sparked a rift between the two cities, is likely tethered to whether the new facility will be based on land or water.