Questions and uncertainty loom over the ambitious $1.7 billion Bally’s Chicago integrated casino resort earmarked for the Freedom Center, as its future now teeters on a precarious edge. Shouldered with a stringent state-mandated deadline of September 9, 2026, the project’s realization hangs in the balance—a sentiment echoed by city Alderman Brian Hopkins, a vocal detractor of the decision to entrust Bally’s Corporation with this paramount downtown venture.
Chicago rests at the crossroads of hope and apprehension as the selected heart for this major windfall is the Bally’s Chicago, prime to be a bastion of economic rejuvenation with its lucrative promise. Envisioned as a cornerstone of the 2019 state gaming expansion under Illinois lawmakers and Governor JB Pritzker, the project aims not just to enrich urban fabric but to bolster infrastructure and pension programs for police and firefighters.
The selection of Bally’s Corporation by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot last May marked the culmination of comprehensive bids, edging out contenders like Hard Rock International and the home-grown Rush Street Gaming. Bally’s proposition, punctuated by a $40 million upfront payment and a yearly $4 million commitment beyond taxes, seemed lucrative. In vision, the casino boasts a workforce of 3,000, a sprawling floor with 3,400 slots and 170 gaming tables, a hotel with 500 rooms, six restaurants, a grand theater, and an amphitheater under the stars.
Amid the glittering projections, concerns of financing have cast a shadow. A temporary casino at the Medinah Temple was part of the strategy, a stepstone to the mega resort. Though the initial gains in September were promising, revenue dwindled soon after, fading the bright start to a murmur of uneasy whispers with patron numbers on a decline.
Hopkins has voiced criticism over choosing Bally’s, labeling it a misstep by Lightfoot and one the City Council should not have sanctioned. The concern is not unfounded, as the temporary casino’s underperformance hints at a financial shortfall to make good on Bally’s massive construction commitment—a worry reinforced by Hopkins’ concern that they are “years away” from even beginning construction.
The prowess to erect a gaming edifice of this magnitude by Bally’s Corp, post-acquisition of its brand from Caesars Entertainment in 2020, is questioned given their untested mettle in such large-scale solo ventures.
As the specter of a possible indefinite ‘temporary’ stay at Medinah looms, the city holds its breath, rolling the dice on whether this long-awaited casino dream will cash out in triumphant cheers or if their wager will be met with a resigned sigh and a quite different future for the Windy City’s betting landscape.
In the midst of these unfolding developments, the conversation around gaming and casinos continues to evolve. For those considering alternatives to the brick-and-mortar establishments, it’s worth noting that there are myriad options just a click away. We, at West Island Blog, continuously seek to offer our readers the most current and engaging content. Turning our attention to the digital realm of gaming, we’ve compiled a list of the top online casinos for this month, spotlighting platforms that Canadians commonly search for, and ensuring that your next play is nothing but a safe bet.
