There are Various Reasons Why Bally’s Chicago Won’t Open Until at Least 2027
Posted on: January 16, 2026, 10:24h.
Last updated on: January 16, 2026, 10:42h.
- Bally’s Chicago won’t open until at least 2027
- The casino pledged to open by the end of the year
Legislation in Illinois would allow the $1.7 billion permanent casino resort under construction by Bally’s in Chicago’s River West neighborhood to open later than planned.
On Thursday, state Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago), the speaker pro tempore, filed legislation to allow Bally’s Chicago to open a year later than mandated by the casino company’s agreement with the state and City of Chicago. Buckner has proposed giving the Rhode Island-based casino firm an additional 12 months from September 2026 to open its Chicago destination.
While work continues on the resort casino at the 30-acre former site of the Chicago Tribune’s Freedom Center printing plant, it’s become apparent to even bystanders that the 500-room hotel and casino won’t open by year’s end. Bally’s officials reportedly lobbied Buckner to introduce the extension bill.
Bally’s Chicago remains fully committed to the construction of its permanent casino and entertainment destination and will continue operating at Medinah Temple in accordance with all regulatory requirements during the extension period,” said Bally’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Development Christopher Jewett. “The adjusted timeline allows for Bally’s Chicago to operate the temporary casino inside of Medinah Temple through September 2027, if needed.”
“This proposed legislation allows us to continue operating responsibly while we advance our permanent facility and deliver on the long-term commitments to Chicago,” Jewett added.
Casino Construction Delays
Bally’s Chicago has faced setbacks. Last year, construction was halted for two weeks after concerns were raised that one of the contractors on site had ties to organized crime. Waste hauling company D&P Construction was deemed to have once been controlled by John “No Nose” DiFronzo, a one-time boss of the Chicago Mob.
The two-week construction halt was ordered by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB), as it investigated the use of unapproved vendors. The state gaming regulatory agency later concluded that “no vendors are working on the casino construction project without IGB approval.”
In late 2024, work was briefly delayed after a fenced mesh netting wall collapsed during demolition of the newspaper publishing plant, and debris fell into the Chicago River. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Chicago Department of Buildings, and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District probed the incident before concluding that no laws or regulations had been broken.
Casino Details
Along with the more than 30-story, 500-room hotel tower, Bally’s Chicago will include a casino floor with 3,500 slot machines and table game positions, an array of restaurants and bars, including a rooftop venue, and a 3,000-seat theater. A spa and fitness center, a two-acre park, and a 2,000-foot-long riverwalk are also planned.
In the interim, the temporary Bally’s Chicago casino continues to operate inside the Medinah Temple. The venue features about 800 slot machines and 56 live-dealer table games.
Bally’s Chicago generated gross gaming revenue of $124.6 million in 2025. That ranked fifth among the 17 casinos in Illinois.
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