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- Bally’s confirmed its $1.7 billion permanent Chicago casino construction remains on schedule for an early 2027 opening.
- The company temporarily paused the delivery of some non-gaming amenities after Chicago legalized video gaming terminals, though core construction continues uninterrupted.
Bally’s, a major operator in both the retail and online casino sectors, said its $1.7 billion permanent Chicago casino remains on track to open in early 2027, pushing back on reports that construction had slowed or stopped.
The update matters because the project is one of the biggest U.S. urban casino developments in progress, and questions about construction timing had surfaced as Bally’s reassesses part of the resort plan after Chicago legalized video gaming terminals. Bally’s said the review affects the timing of some non-gaming amenities, not the core casino build.
Chairman Soo Kim said on a conference call Monday that reports suggesting work had been paused were inaccurate. “There have been inaccurate reports suggesting that construction has been stopped or paused,” Kim said. He added that construction is continuing daily, with “approximately 1,000 skilled tradespeople” working at the site.
The permanent casino is being built at 560 W. Grand Ave. on the former Chicago Tribune Freedom Center site. Bally’s said work is continuing on the resort’s main components while it decides when to deliver some of the remaining non-gaming facilities.
Bally’s says VGT legalization changed part of the project phasing
Bally’s said it is reassessing the timing of some non-gaming components after Chicago legalized video gaming terminals, or VGTs. According to the company, it told the city in July that the move was “a violation of the terms and economic undertakings of the host community agreement we signed with the city of Chicago.”
Kim said Bally’s changed course on some development timing to protect the project’s economics. “Bally’s took these actions because our responsibility is clear,” he 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.”
The company said roughly 12% of the development’s other planned amenities are under review. Bally’s has framed that as a change in delivery order rather than a construction shutdown.
What is still expected at opening
The revised construction plans were discussed at a Sept. 9 hearing of the Chicago City Council License Committee. Bally’s executive George Papanier said the resort is expected to open with an event centre, 100 hotel rooms, and the required food and beverage facilities.
The hotel is ultimately expected to expand to 500 rooms. Bally’s also noted that the final structural beam on the casino and hotel complex was placed in April.
The Chicago casino had originally been expected to open in 2026 before the target moved to spring 2027. Bally’s now says the project remains on track for early 2027. The company also said it plans to offer investors and shareholders tours of the construction site.
Source: As reported by wlsam.com.
