Gamblers within the Chicago space now have a brand new choice with the opening of the brand new Bally’s momentary on line casino. City leaders formally helped usher within the new facility on Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The 34,000-square-foot on line casino homes 800 slots and 56 desk video games, providing gamers a on line casino choice till a everlasting facility is anticipated to open in 2025 or 2026.
Seeing a on line casino inside the metropolis was a serious precedence for former mayor Lori Lightfoot. Current Mayor Eric Johnson (D) was on the opening and is happy to see these efforts come to fruition.
“I talk about how Chicago is the greatest freakin’ city in the world, and for those who did not know, now they know,” Johnson stated in the course of the ceremony. “And attractions like Bally’s continue to show why we are beloved and why we’re a destination for visitors from all over the globe.”
Details On The Temporary Venue
The unveiling got here just some weeks after the Illinois Gaming Board gave the property the go-ahead. City officers estimate that the momentary on line casino will produce 700 jobs and $50 million in tax annual income.
The new on line casino is situated in Medinah Temple, located within the metropolis’s Magnificent Mile hall simply to the north of the Chicago River. While a number of casinos could be discovered within the suburbs of the Chicagoland space, Bally’s turns into the primary to be truly situated inside the metropolis.
“To all of our residents and Illinoisans and everyone else: please come and — responsibly — spend your money at this casino,” Johnson stated.
Plans For The Permanent Casino
Bally’s is planning an enormous undertaking for the everlasting facility – a $1.7 billion on line casino at Freedom Center within the River West space on property alongside the Chicago River. Chicago-area gamblers can sit up for 3,400 slots, 170 desk video games, a 500-room lodge, a 3,000-seat leisure venue, six eating places, a meals courtroom, three bars, and extra.
The undertaking is anticipated to interrupt floor subsequent yr and create 1000’s of development jobs. The metropolis estimates the on line casino will usher in $200 million in annual tax income to assist shore up police and fireplace pension debt. The metropolis owes greater than $35 billion to its 4 worker pension funds together with police, firefighters, municipal staff, and different laborers.
Along with the tax income, Bally’s is sending the on line casino an preliminary charge of $40 million, one other $4 million annual cost, and in addition making $75 million in infrastructure enhancements.
“This is more than just an entertainment venue,” Johnson stated. “This project is going to secure Chicago’s fiscally strong and vibrant future.”
