Bally’s Chicago, currently operating inside the Medinah Temple building in River North, is now preparing for a promising new chapter along the Chicago riverwalk near Ohio Street. The new location, the former Tribune Publishing site, holds great potential, and Bally’s is set to transform it into a vibrant casino and hotel complex after acquiring the property in early July 2024.
While Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson raised doubts about the casino’s construction, Bally’s has since reassured the public that the project is on track. They aim to open the new facility to the public in September 2026, maintaining their commitment to the project’s timeline. When the casino opens we will do a follow up for our IN readers.
Bally’s Chicago Casino Details
The new casino will have approximately 3,300 slot machines, 173 table games, and multiple VIP lounges. It will also have various dining options, including six restaurants, cafes, and a food hall.
Bally’s will also feature a 34-story hotel adjacent to the casino. The hotel will have a 3,000-seat theater and a 2-acre park, as well as a large pool, a spa, a fitness center, and a rooftop restaurant.
Bally’s has stated that it “will harness the beauty of the urban Chicago riverfront site to create inclusive, dynamic spaces.” The new casino project will also extend the Chicago Riverwalk by nearly 2,000 feet to connect the site to the lower riverbank.
Are Online Casinos Legal In Chicago?
The state of Illinois does not permit their local gambling houses to provide online casino games to the state. However, Illinois online gambling options are available from out-of-state sites that are operating online legally.
Online casinos have been available to most US States since the early 2000s due to a lack of federal gambling laws. Since only a handful of legal gambling states offer online casinos, many US players turn to trusted online sites that have an excellent reputation for fast payouts.
Online casino gambling could come to Illinois in the future, but for now, the state only licenses sportsbooks and sweepstakes games online.