Chicago Soon To Have Casino With Slots, Table Games

Lori Lightfoot, the Mayor of Chicago, Illinois, has announced that the city has finalized three top bidders to progress in the upcoming stages to award the city’s first and only casino license.

The three finalists are Bally’s Corporation, Hard Rock, and Rivers. From this trio, the city will select one of the proposals to be approved by the City Council. The new casino-resort will add to already robust casino gaming options in Illinois.

“We have spent countless hours analyzing each proposal for Chicago’s casino license and have determined Bally’s Corporation, Hard Rock Chicago, and Rivers 78 best fit the core goals we want to achieve for the City’s first integrated casino-resort," said Lightfoot.

“Each proposal offers economic, employment, and equity-focused opportunities for Chicago, while simultaneously enhancing the city’s cultural, entertainment, and architectural scenes with world-class amenities and design. Our teams look forward to heading into discussions with the finalists and getting one step closer to bringing this decades-long project to fruition."

Chicago has made reference to developing the city’s first casino dating back 30 years. With a casino coming to the city, it is estimated to bring with it many positive factors to the community.

These include, but are not limited to, creating thousands of new jobs for Chicago residents, increasing in finance, economic development, tourism, and property values, as well as bringing in $400 million a year for the city and the state of Illinois.

Regardless of the winning bidder, the Chicago casino will bring the best online casino games to the Windy City.

Here is a closer look at the three finalists—Bally’s Corporation, Hard Rock Chicago, and Rivers 78.

Bally’s Corporation

Located near and around the Tribune Publishing Plant, Bally’s has proposed a project with a valuation of $1.74 billion. This project includes both a casino and a hotel.

Some key features of what Bally’s would want to include in the facility are the following:

• 3,000-seat theater
• Sports museum
• Riverwalk extension
• Bridge for pedestrians
• A hotel tower with 500 keys
• Outdoor park and music venue
• Amenity terrace: fitness center, sun deck, large pool spa, six restaurants, and a food hall.

In terms of what the casino itself will offer games-wise, the proposal includes 3,400 slots and over 170 table games.

If chosen, this project should create nearly 10,000 construction jobs and over 2,000 full-time casino jobs. The temporary casino is expected to open in Q2 of 2023, with the final coming Q1 of 2026.

An additional proposal included Bally’s at McCormick Place Truck Marshaling.

Hard Rock

Also proposed with a budget of $1.74 billion, this casino would be built on a portion of the ONE Central site.

The highlights of the Hard Rock proposal include:

• Hard Rock live venue with over 3,500 seats
• 500 room hotel tower
• Spa
• Rooftop space
• Several restaurants
• Outdoor green space
• Six bars

The casino will house 3,000 slots and 166 table games while adding 16,607 constructions jobs and 3,140 permanent casino jobs. The temporary casino would launch in Q2 2023, with the final coming in Q3 2025.

Rivers

Coming in with the lowest proposed budget of $1.62 billion, Rivers would be made on “The 78" site. This place is a large development near the south side of the city. In another proposal, Rivers also pitched McCormick Place at Lakeside Center.

Highlights of Rivers proposal in terms of amenities, offerings, and casino games include:Riverfront Plaza

• Observation tower with indoor/outdoor space
• Harbor Hall riverfront venue hosting live entertainment, arts, culture, and more.
• 300-room hotel
• Eight restaurants and cafes
• Food hall
• Five bars
• 2,600 slots
• 190 table games

This project would add 3,410-4,375 construction jobs and over 3,000 casino jobs. The temporary site would open in Q2 2024, and the final coming in Q4 2025.