Bally’s temporary casino location at the Medinah Temple in River North held a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday where Mayor Brandon Johnson assisted in celebrating the opening. Chicago’s first legal casino will operate from this location for the next three years while a permanent facility is constructed in River West.
Mayor Johnson expressed his optimism for both the venue and the city by saying, “To all of our residents and Illinoisans and everyone else: please come and — responsibly — spend your money at this casino. I talk about how Chicago is the greatest freakin’ city in the world, and for those who did not know, now they know.
“Attractions like Bally’s continue to show why we are beloved and why we’re a destination for visitors from all over the globe.”
According to Mayor Johnson’s remarks on the day, the temporary casino location has also created 700 jobs, with thousands of additional construction jobs also promised by Bally’s during the three years of building its permanent Chi-town locale.
The ceremony took place three weeks after approval for opening was given from the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB). Soo Kim, Bally’s Corporation Chairman of the Board, as well as Bally’s President George Papanier, Bally’s Board Member Wanda Wilson, Bally’s Chicago General Manager Mark Wong, IGB Administrator Marcus Frutcher, Aldermans Jason Ervin and Walter Burnett were also in attendance.
Governor J.B. Pritzker was absent from the ribbon cutting as, according to local reports, he had a prior engagement scheduling with the University of Chicago. Pritzker, however, championed the gambling expansion law as part of a $45bn capital infrastructure improvement plan that began in 2019.
Pritzker still commented, “For years, Chicago pushed for a casino to help with its pension debt. Together with the [General Assembly], we made that happen with Bally’s Chicago.
“Not only will millions of dollars go to paying off the debt, but hundreds of Chicagoans will have new, good-paying jobs.”
Illinois currently has 15 casinos, including recent developments within them such as: the launch of Circa Sportsbook at The Tempory Waukegan, the approved redevelopment of Wind Creek Chicago Southland and an approved sports betting license for Hard Rock Rockford.
The Medinah Temple Bally’s location is predicted to generate up to $50m annually, while the future permanent location is expected to generate around $200m a year after it opens in 2026.
