Illinois Gaming Board gives preliminary approval to Bally’s Chicago temporary casino

Bally’s Chicago Casino plans to open a temporary casino at Medinah Temple.

US.- The Illinois Gaming Board has approved a “determination of preliminary suitability” for Bally’s to operate a temporary casino at the old Medinah Temple in River North, Chicago. Bally’s hopes to open the temporary casino by late summer.

The move allows Bally’s to continue the process of preparing the site and hiring employees. Applicants deemed “preliminarily suitable” can complete required tasks towards a pre-opening audit, test run and eventual issuance of a temporary operating permit. There will be a two- to four-day test run of the temporary casino before the Illinois Gaming Board issues the permit without the need for another vote by the board.

Bally’s said: “The ruling will enable us to continue development efforts on Bally’s Chicago Casino temporary site at the iconic Medinah Temple. As a world-class city and a global destination, Chicago provides an exceptional environment to offer outstanding amenities to visitors and residents alike.”

Medinah Temple has a 134,000-square-foot interior with 3 levels and 34,000 square feet of gaming space, according to Bally’s vice president Mark Wong. Once complete, the temporary casino will feature more than 750 slot machines and more than 50 table games. It’s expected to create more than 500 jobs, while the $1.7bn permanent casino in River West is expected to create 3,000 jobs.

The permanent Bally’s Chicago is slated to open in late 2025 or early 2026. The $1.7bn venue will have entertainment and a 500-room hotel tower at the 30-acre Chicago Tribune Publishing Center at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street. It will feature 3,400 slots, 170 table games, 10 food and beverage venues and a 65,000-square-foot entertainment centre.

Bally’s has the right to operate a temporary casino for up to three years while the permanent casino resort is constructed.

See also: Illinois casinos generate $122m in adjusted gross revenue in May