Ballys Casino Chicago - Your New Place To Play

Something big is happening in Chicago, a new spot for fun and excitement that is, you know, really starting to take shape. This place, Bally's Chicago, aims to be a top choice for anyone looking to have a good time, offering a complete experience where you can try your luck, eat some great food, and even find a comfortable spot to stay right in the heart of the city.

For now, a temporary spot has been welcoming folks since 2023, giving a little taste of what is coming. It's almost like a preview, offering a chance to see what a big casino can feel like, with plenty of games and a lively atmosphere, all before the main event arrives.

The bigger, permanent home for Bally's Chicago is set to open its doors in 2026, promising even more ways to play and enjoy yourself. This future location, quite a bit larger, will be a significant addition to the city's entertainment scene, building on the success of the temporary space and bringing a whole new level of activity to the River West area.

• Lings Moment
• Amc Loews Crestwood 18 Crestwood Il
• Tastes Of Chicago
• The Bostonian Hotel Boston
• Oaks Park Portland

Table of Contents

• Your New Place to Play in Chicago
• What's the Deal with Ballys Casino Chicago Right Now?
• Where Will Ballys Casino Chicago Eventually Be?
• What Kinds of Games Can You Play at Ballys Casino Chicago?
• Eating and Drinking at Ballys Casino Chicago - What's On Offer?
• Any Special Offers or Deals at Ballys Casino Chicago?
• The Story Behind Building Ballys Casino Chicago
• Chicago and Its Casinos - A Look Back

What's the Deal with Ballys Casino Chicago Right Now?

Well, to get things started, Bally's Chicago has actually been open for a little while in a temporary spot. Since 2023, you see, a place at Medinah Temple has been serving as the city's very first casino. This came about after Bally's won the city's approval in 2022, which was a pretty big deal for them and for Chicago.

This temporary Ballys Casino Chicago location gives people a chance to get a feel for what a full-blown casino experience is like. It's a way to try out the games and enjoy the atmosphere without having to wait for the much larger main facility to be ready. You can, in a way, think of it as a sneak peek.

Inside this first casino for the city, which is a kind of warm-up for the bigger one planned for River West, there are more than 700 slot machines. Plus, there are 56 table games, so you have a good selection of ways to try your luck. It's a pretty lively spot, and it's been getting a fair bit of attention since it opened its doors, basically offering a place to have some fun downtown.

• Detroit Lions Stadium
• Greenway High School
• Quebec City Airport
• Alcovy High School
• Las Lomas

The place itself, the casino, has a good amount of room for playing games. There are many different table games and also plenty of slot machines. It's set up to be welcoming for everyone, whether you are just starting out with casino games or if you have played for many years and know your way around. So, it really tries to make sure everyone feels at home.

Where Will Ballys Casino Chicago Eventually Be?

The main Ballys Casino Chicago, the one that will be much bigger and more permanent, is planned for the River West neighborhood. This future spot is set to open its doors in September 2026. It's going to be built on what used to be the Tribune publishing site, which is a pretty significant piece of land in the city.

This larger casino and entertainment complex is quite a project. It’s not just about the gaming; it's also going to include a hotel tower, and it will be right there on the Chicago River. This means it will likely change the look of that part of the city quite a bit, offering a new kind of destination for people.

The plans for this main Ballys Casino Chicago show a place that will have a lot of space for games. They are looking to have around 3,400 slot machines, which is a very large number. And there will be 170 table games, giving players a huge variety of choices. There will also be special areas for those who prefer a more private gaming experience.

Part of the plan also mentions that the lower riverbank area will be connected to the complex. This suggests a design that tries to blend with the surroundings and offer more than just an indoor experience. It's almost as if they want to make the most of the riverfront setting, creating a place where people can enjoy the views as well as the games.

What Kinds of Games Can You Play at Ballys Casino Chicago?

Whether you visit the temporary spot or wait for the big one, Ballys Casino Chicago aims to have a wide selection of ways to try your luck. In the current location, as we mentioned, there are hundreds of slot machines, which are always a popular choice for many folks. You can find all sorts of themes and ways to play, so there's usually something that catches your eye.

Beyond the slots, there are many table games available, too. These are the games where you sit around a table with other players and a dealer, like blackjack, roulette, or poker variations. They offer a different kind of excitement, often with more interaction. The temporary Ballys Casino Chicago has a good number of these, giving you plenty of options to choose from.

When the full Ballys Casino Chicago opens in 2026, the number of games will grow a lot. They are planning for thousands of slot machines and many more table games. This means that no matter what your favorite game is, or if you want to try something new, you'll probably find it there. It's like they are making sure there's something for every type of player, from someone who just wants to put a few coins in a machine to someone who enjoys the strategy of a card game.

The casino floor itself is set to be quite open and inviting, allowing for a comfortable experience as you move from one game to another. It's designed to welcome everyone, whether you are just starting out and learning the rules, or if you have played for many years and know exactly what you are doing. This focus on being welcoming is, you know, a key part of the Bally's approach.

Eating and Drinking at Ballys Casino Chicago - What's On Offer?

A big part of any entertainment spot is the food and drink, and Ballys Chicago seems to have that covered. You can expect a tasty selection of Chicago restaurants right there at the Bally's Chicago hotel and casino in the downtown area. This means you won't have to go far to find something good to eat after playing some games.

The choices are pretty varied, too. You might find places offering Asian dishes, which are often a favorite for many. But then there are also options for more classic diner food and quick bites, for when you just want something fast and satisfying. It's almost like they are trying to cater to different tastes and moods, whether you want a full meal or just a snack.

Having these dining spots right inside the Ballys Casino Chicago complex means you can make a whole evening of it. You can play for a bit, then grab a meal, and then maybe go back to the games. This makes the whole visit feel more complete, like a true entertainment outing rather than just a quick stop for gaming.

The idea is to create a place where you can, you know, savor different kinds of food and enjoy a full experience. It's about more than just the gambling; it's about having a good time overall, with good food being a very important part of that. So, if you're feeling hungry, there should be plenty to choose from to keep you going.

Any Special Offers or Deals at Ballys Casino Chicago?

Just like many places that want to welcome guests, Ballys Casino Chicago often has special offers and deals. You can usually find these by checking out their current casino promotions. These might include different kinds of casino specials, which could be anything from bonus play to special draws.

Sometimes, they also have hotel deals, which is great if you are planning to stay overnight. These can help make your trip a bit more affordable or add extra perks to your visit. Seasonal discounts are also something to look out for, as these can pop up during different times of the year, offering another way to save a little money.

And then there are things like cash drawings, where you might have a chance to win some extra money. These kinds of promotions add another layer of excitement to your visit to Ballys Casino Chicago. It's like they are always looking for ways to give back to their visitors and make the experience even more appealing.

So, if you are thinking about going, it's a good idea to check what's currently being offered. You might find something that makes your visit even better, whether it's a chance to win something extra or a deal on your stay. These offers are, you know, a nice way to make the most of your time there.

The Story Behind Building Ballys Casino Chicago

The path to getting Ballys Casino Chicago built has had a few twists and turns, that's for sure. The main site for the casino is on the former Chicago Tribune Freedom Center in River West. Demolition work there actually started on August 27, 2024, to clear the way for the new casino and hotel complex. This is a pretty big undertaking, given the size of the planned structure.

There have been some moments where things got a little complicated. For instance, the Illinois Gaming Board, which is the group that oversees gambling in the state, once issued a stop work order at the planned Bally's Chicago casino site. This happened after they found out the construction project was using something it shouldn't have been. It shows that there are, you know, strict rules to follow when building something like this.

Later on, the Illinois Gaming Board confirmed that construction was approved to start again at Bally's. However, they didn't say what kind of penalties, if any, might be given out because of the earlier issue. This kind of back-and-forth is sometimes part of very large building projects, especially ones that are so closely watched.

Despite these moments, Bally's Corporation has been moving forward. They are doing the site preparation work for the demolition, aiming for that fall 2026 opening. It's a complex process, but it's clear they are working to get the main Ballys Casino Chicago ready for when it can welcome everyone.

Chicago and Its Casinos - A Look Back

Chicago's connection with gambling goes back a long way, and it's been, you know, a bit of a complicated relationship. If you think about it, the city's history with casinos traces back to the days of Al Capone and his illegal gambling spots. Those were very different times, of course, but they show that the idea of trying your luck has been part of Chicago for a long time.

Now, with Ballys Casino Chicago, the city has its first official, legal casino. This is a big step, moving from those earlier, unofficial gambling places to a fully regulated entertainment complex. It means that the city is now openly embracing a different kind of gaming, one that is managed and watched over by the state.

The fact that Bally's Corporation won Chicago's sole casino license was a pretty big announcement. Mayor Lori Lightfoot shared this news, marking a new chapter for the city's entertainment scene. It was a competitive process, so winning that license was a significant achievement for Bally's.

This new Ballys Casino Chicago, located conveniently in the center of downtown, offers exciting chances for big wins. It's a spot where people can come to feel the excitement of the games and perhaps, you know, feel the luck of the draw. It represents a modern approach to entertainment for a city with a long, interesting past when it comes to games of chance.