Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Bally’s Corp. says its $1.7 billion permanent Chicago casino remains on course for an early 2027 opening, despite changes to when some hotel and entertainment facilities will arrive.
Around 1,000 skilled tradespeople are currently working at the 560 W. Grand Ave. site, according to Chairman Soo Kim. Bally’s also plans construction site tours for investors and shareholders as questions continue over project progress.
Good to Know
- Bally’s Chicago remains scheduled to open in early 2027.
- The initial resort will include the casino, an event center, 100 hotel rooms and required food and beverage facilities.
- Bally’s is reviewing the timing of about 12% of planned amenities after Chicago approved video gaming terminals.
Bally’s Changes Project Order After VGT Decision
The casino itself remains under active construction. Bally’s instead changed the delivery order for several non gaming elements after Chicago legalized video gaming terminals.
Bally’s told the city in July that VGT approval was “a violation of the terms and economic undertakings of the host community agreement we signed with the city of Chicago.”
The company later began reviewing when to complete additional hotel rooms and some entertainment and hospitality facilities. Bally’s says construction has not stopped.
“There have been inaccurate reports suggesting that construction has been stopped or paused,” Kim said. “Construction continues every day, and there are approximately 1,000 skilled tradespeople working on the construction of the permanent Bally’s Chicago resort.”
The opening configuration is expected to include 100 hotel rooms, an event center and required dining facilities. The full hotel plan still calls for 500 rooms.
Bally’s discussed the revised sequence with the Chicago City Council License Committee on September 9.
Main Casino Work Continues
Construction passed a major structural point in April when the final beam was placed on the casino and hotel complex. Bally’s previously said the finished resort could create around 3,000 permanent jobs.
The company originally targeted 2026 for the permanent casino before shifting the opening to spring 2027. Its own Chicago website now lists the full casino resort as coming in 2027.
Kim said the VGT dispute prompted Bally’s to protect the economics behind the development.
“Bally’s took these actions because our responsibility is clear,” Kim said. “We are acting to protect our investors, to preserve the value of Bally’s Chicago, and to ensure the commitments that underpin this investment and our agreement with the City of Chicago are honored.”
“We remain fully committed to Chicago,” he added.
The post Bally’s Chicago Casino Stays On Track For Early 2027 Opening appeared first on iGaming.org.