Posted on: February 6, 2026, 11:36h.
Last updated on: February 6, 2026, 11:36h.
Boyd Gaming has presented the Illinois Gaming Board with a new plan for Par-A-Dice
The casino has ditched the “modernized riverboat” concept in favor of a more traditional riverboat
The City of Peoria had challenged whether the initial plan constituted riverboat gambling
Boyd Gaming has reworked its proposed redevelopment of the Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino in East Peoria.
Boyd Gaming is now proposing a new overhaul of its Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino in East Peoria, IL. The Illinois Gaming Board will vote on the riverboat gaming project in the coming weeks. (Image: Boyd Gaming/Illinois Gaming Board)
During the Illinois Gaming Board’s meeting on Thursday, Boyd officials presented the state with a new plan for its overhaul of Par-A-Dice. To satisfy concerns about whether its previously announced $160 million “modernized riverboat,” which entailed a brick-and-mortar casino structure above a small, 100-gallon water basin, Boyd is now proposing a more traditional riverboat.
Describing the investment as a pavilion extension with a “permanently moored barge,” Uri Clinton, Boyd Gaming’s executive vice president and general counsel, says the updated development renders the City of Peoria’s challenges obsolete.
We no longer have to debate. We no longer have to ask you to be creative. We no longer have to ask you that this is the current industry standard. This will be a best-in-class, permanently moored barge, consistent with statutory requirements to conduct gaming,” Clinton said.
The IGB was to vote on whether to approve Boyd’s previous proposal. Surprised by the new plan, the state gaming regulators, following a closed session, said they would schedule a special meeting within three weeks to make a final determination.
Peoria Big Loser
Since 1991, Peoria and East Peoria have maintained an intercity governmental agreement stipulating that a riverboat would always operate in East Peoria, but any land-based casino would operate in Peoria. Boyd Gaming’s initial plan, some Peoria councilors and elected officials said, did not satisfy the water conditions in the Illinois Riverboat Gambling Act.
While the two cities share the 5% local gaming tax generated by Par-A-Dice, only the host city benefits from its property, hotel occupancy, food and beverage, and amusement taxes. To appease Peoria’s challenges of whether a casino above a water basin constitutes riverboat gambling, Boyd offered to send Peoria 2.25% of all nongaming revenue it generates at the modernized Par-A-Dice.
On Monday, the Peoria City Council voted 5-5 on the proposal. Without a majority, the agreement was rejected. Councilors who voted against the scheme thought they could get a better deal from Boyd.
Instead, Boyd is moving forward with a traditional riverboat. Peoria, should the IGB approve of the redevelopment, will miss out on that 2.25% olive branch, which was expected to tally about $1.8 million a year.
“Disappointment. Disappointment with the position we are in right now because I think there was a missed opportunity,” Peoria Mayor Rita Ali, one of the five “yes” votes on the Boyd offer, told the Peoria Journal Star. “I don’t say that to rub that in because I don’t give a darn about being right. My goal Monday night in voting yes was to try and get as much of a win as I thought we could for the people of Peoria to build up the city.”
Casino Details
Boyd Gaming’s Thursday presentation includes a barged structure with a casino floor measuring 40,000 square feet. A steakhouse, gastropub, and quick service restaurant are among the amenities.
No price tag was given for the moored development.
(Image: Boyd Gaming/Illinois Gaming Board)