Man Beaten and Robbed in Bathroom at Temporary Bally’s Chicago Casino

A 25‑year‑old man was beaten and robbed inside the temporary Bally’s Chicago casino early Monday morning, an incident that occurred just days before the property is scheduled to host a large New Year’s Eve celebration.

According to Chicago police reports cited by multiple local news outlets, the victim was assaulted around 2 a.m. in a casino bathroom by two unknown men who beat him and stole his belongings before fleeing the scene.

The victim reportedly sustained injuries but did not require hospitalization. No reports specified whether he was an employee or guest of the property.

Police have not indicated whether any arrests have been made or any suspects identified.

Bally’s confirmed the incident in a statement, stating that the company was “aware of a security‑related incident that occurred on our property” and is cooperating with both Chicago police and its state regulatory agency.

The casino emphasized that “the safety and well‑being of our guests, team members, and community remain our top priority” and reiterated its commitment to maintaining a secure environment.

Sensitive Time

The robbery comes at a sensitive moment for the casino, while it prepared for a circus‑themed New Year’s Eve event scheduled to run from New Year’s Eve through 3 a.m. New Year’s Day.

The celebration is expected to draw a large crowd to the temporary casino facility, which opened in September 2023 as the city’s first-ever full casino while Bally’s develops its permanent $1.7 billion complex at the former Tribune Publishing site.

The block surrounding the casino has seen multiple robberies this month, according to separate police reports referenced in local coverage. In one case, a victim was robbed at gunpoint inside a nearby parking garage. In another, a couple reported being held at gunpoint on the street just steps from the casino entrance.

Police have not said whether any of the incidents are connected, and Bally’s has not commented on whether additional security measures will be implemented ahead of the New Year’s Eve festivities.

The temporary Bally’s site draws thousands of visitors weekly and operates 24 hours a day, making security a recurring concern for both the casino and city officials. While Monday’s attack remains under investigation, authorities have released no suspect descriptions beyond the initial report and have not recovered any of the stolen property. No further details were immediately available.