- Bally’s Chicago received’t open till no less than 2027
- The on line casino pledged to open by the top of the yr
Laws in Illinois would enable the $1.7 billion everlasting on line casino resort below building by Bally’s in Chicago’s River West neighborhood to open later than deliberate.
Bally’s Company Chairman Soo Kim speaks on the groundbreaking ceremony of Bally’s Chicago in August 2024. Initially deliberate to open earlier than the top of 2026, Bally’s is in search of a 12-month extension to open the $1.7 billion vacation spot. (Picture: Bally’s Company)
On Thursday, state Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago), the speaker professional tempore, filed laws to permit Bally’s Chicago to open a yr later than mandated by the on line casino firm’s settlement with the state and Metropolis of Chicago. Buckner has proposed giving the Rhode Island-based on line casino agency an extra 12 months from September 2026 to open its Chicago vacation spot.
Whereas work continues on the resort on line casino on the 30-acre former web site of the Chicago Tribune’s Freedom Heart printing plant, it’s grow to be obvious to even bystanders that the 500-room resort and on line casino received’t open by yr’s finish. Bally’s officers reportedly lobbied Buckner to introduce the extension invoice.
Bally’s Chicago stays totally dedicated to the development of its everlasting on line casino and leisure vacation spot and can proceed working at Medinah Temple in accordance with all regulatory necessities in the course of the extension interval,” mentioned Bally’s Senior Vice President of Company Improvement Christopher Jewett. “The adjusted timeline permits for Bally’s Chicago to function the short-term on line casino inside Medinah Temple by way of September 2027, if wanted.”
“This proposed laws permits us to proceed working responsibly whereas we advance our everlasting facility and ship on the long-term commitments to Chicago,” Jewett added.
On line casino Development Delays
Bally’s Chicago has confronted setbacks. Final yr, building was halted for 2 weeks after issues had been raised that one of many contractors on web site had ties to organized crime. Waste hauling firm D&P Development was deemed to have as soon as been managed by John “No Nostril” DiFronzo, a one-time boss of the Chicago Mob.
The 2-week building halt was ordered by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB), because it investigated using unapproved distributors. The state gaming regulatory company later concluded that “no distributors are engaged on the on line casino building undertaking with out IGB approval.”
In late 2024, work was briefly delayed after a fenced mesh netting wall collapsed throughout demolition of the newspaper publishing plant, and particles fell into the Chicago River. The Illinois Environmental Safety Company, Chicago Division of Buildings, and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District probed the incident earlier than concluding that no legal guidelines or rules had been damaged.
On line casino Particulars
Together with the greater than 30-story, 500-room resort tower, Bally’s Chicago will embrace a on line casino flooring with 3,500 slot machines and desk sport positions, an array of eating places and bars, together with a rooftop venue, and a 3,000-seat theater. A spa and health heart, a two-acre park, and a 2,000-foot-long riverwalk are additionally deliberate.
Within the interim, the short-term Bally’s Chicago on line casino continues to function contained in the Medinah Temple. The venue options about 800 slot machines and 56 live-dealer desk video games.
Bally’s Chicago generated gross gaming income of $124.6 million in 2025. That ranked fifth among the many 17 casinos in Illinois.
