Bally’s has shared new images of its permanent Chicago casino, showing the planned poker and baccarat rooms that will be key features of the $1.7 billion River West complex.
Developers will build the casino on the old Tribune printing plant site at Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street and plan to open it by September 2026. It will include 3,400 slot machines, a 500-room hotel, a rooftop pool and bar, several restaurants, a 3,000-seat theater, and a public park with a riverwalk extension.
The new images show a large gaming floor. There will also be a high-limit slot area and special card rooms to appeal to both casual players and high-stakes gamblers.
Online and Regional Casino Landscape in Illinois
Illinois law does not currently allow regulated online casinos, but many residents use offshore sites that are not overseen by the state. These legal Illinois casino sites offer digital slots, table games, poker, and other online games like live dealer and specialty games.
Besides Bally’s, Illinois has other well-known casinos like Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, Grand Victoria in Elgin, Hollywood Casino in Aurora and Joliet, and Harrah’s Joliet. These casinos compete for local visitors and have improved their amenities to keep up with the growing number of people turning to online gaming.
Industry experts say Bally’s new Chicago casino could change gambling in Illinois, possibly making Chicago a hub and prompting more discussion of online casino laws. For now, though, online casinos are likely to keep drawing players until state laws change.
Temporary Casino Struggles to Meet Revenue Goals
Since September 2023, Bally’s has run a temporary casino in the historic Medinah Temple at 600 N. Wabash Ave. The casino has made $270 million in adjusted revenue, but tax payments have not met expectations. The state has collected about $41 million, and Chicago has received $33.6 million for police and firefighter pensions.
Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot expected the temporary casino to bring in $34 million in its first full year. But monthly revenue has fluctuated, and in November 2025, it was 13 percent lower than the year before. Even with these issues, Bally’s is still focused on finishing the permanent casino, which city officials see as key for long-term pension funding.
Bally’s is also looking to grow outside Illinois. Later this month, New York is expected to grant the company a license to build a casino near a Bronx golf course that once belonged to Donald Trump. The deal is worth $115 million.