Bally’s Submitting Illinois Casino License Application By July

Later this month, Bally’s intends to submit a license application for its Chicago-based casino. The company aims to inaugurate a temporary casino next year, while the official building is slated to open in 2025.

Despite some remaining obstacles, the Chicago casino project is rapidly advancing.

Bally’s casino application

Construction is well on its way to starting at Bally’s casino.

The city gave the project a thumbs up last month.

Bally’s demonstrated its commitment to the project by issuing a $40 million check to Chicago. The progress delighted Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

“This initial down payment from the casino represents Chicago’s commitment to the future of its pensions and is a clear signal of the City’s dedication to its dedicated public safety professionals. In the forthcoming years, the Chicago Casino is anticipated to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for the City, a significant portion of which is designated for pensions.”

Having completed the initial significant steps, the project now requires a casino license. Once Bally’s submits its application, the Illinois Gaming Board will examine all the materials.

Should things go well for the company, the application could potentially be recorded by the end of the month.

If the gaming board grants Bally’s a license following its application, it will initiate a rapid construction schedule for the temporary casino.

Temporary casino timeline

Bally’s Chicago casino in River West will not be ready to open for years. This leaves limited betting options for gamblers in the city while it is under construction.

That problem will be solved by the company’s temporary casino.

The building will house 800 table games and slot machines to cater to Chicago while the main building is being constructed.

Plans for a temporary casino in Chicago, set to open on Wabash Avenue next year, may be following an ambitious timeline.

Ultimately, the length of time it takes for Bally’s to obtain its casino license is what everything depends on.

It wasn’t until February 2021 that the gaming board gave the green light to Hard Rock’s Rockford casino application, which was initially submitted back in 2019.

Such a delay would significantly disrupt the existing timeline for Bally’s. However, the process in Chicago is prioritized and is likely to complete the final stage quicker.

The company estimates that building its temporary casino will take about 12 months, irrespective of if and when Bally’s gets a license.

Once Bally’s officially submits its application, things will finally start progressing. Given the current pace, the gaming board is expected to receive the paperwork before July.