Bally’s Chicago has offered a first glimpse into its permanent casino, set to open next year, with newly released interior renderings. These images showcase the expansive gaming floor, a dedicated poker room, and a baccarat area, providing a preview of the $1.7 billion complex.
Key Takeaways
- New renderings reveal the interior design of Bally’s permanent Chicago casino, including the gaming floor, poker room, and baccarat area.
- Construction is progressing at the River West site, with a state-mandated deadline to begin taking bets by next September.
- The temporary casino at Medinah Temple has underperformed financially compared to initial projections.
- Bally’s is also pursuing a casino license in New York.
A Sneak Peek Inside Bally’s Chicago
Renderings of Bally’s permanent Chicago casino, first reported by Chicago YIMBY, offer an early look at the interior spaces. These images were part of Bally’s application for a New York City casino license. The $1.7 billion complex in River West will feature a 3,400-slot casino, a 500-room hotel, a rooftop pool and bar, restaurants, a 3,000-seat theater, and a public park with a riverwalk extension.
Gaming Floor and Card Rooms Revealed
The latest visuals highlight the expansive gaming floor, which will house numerous slot machines and table games. Notably, dedicated rooms for poker and baccarat are also previewed. These detailed renderings provide a clearer picture of the casino’s planned ambiance and layout, complementing earlier images of the 36-story hotel tower.
Construction Progress and Regulatory Hurdles
A crane has been erected at the former Tribune printing press site, signaling active construction. State law mandates that Bally’s must commence operations at the permanent location by September of next year. The project faced a temporary halt earlier this year due to a report involving a mob-connected waste management company at the construction site. The Illinois Gaming Board’s investigation into the matter is ongoing.
Financial Performance of Temporary Casino
Bally’s has been operating a temporary casino at the historic Medinah Temple for over two years. However, revenue generated from this location has fallen short of expectations for city and state coffers. Since September 2023, the company has reported approximately $270 million in adjusted revenue, resulting in $41 million for state taxes and $33.6 million for Chicago’s police and firefighter pension funds. This figure is lower than the $34 million projected for the city in the temporary casino’s first full year of operation.
Expansion Plans in New York
While navigating construction financing for the Chicago site, Bally’s is also vying for a casino license in New York. The company is expected to secure a license to build a casino adjacent to a Bronx golf course. This deal includes a $115 million payment to the Trump Organization upon the issuance of the New York gambling license.
Sources
- Bally’s Chicago casino renderings preview poker room, gaming floor, Chicago Sun-Times.
