After the Chicago City Council passed a budget plan to raise the sports betting tax by 10.25% in 2026, the Sports Betting Alliance (SBA) filed a lawsuit to stop the...
Bally’s Chicago tops off $1.7B casino for Spring 2027 opening
Bally’s has celebrated the topping-off of its $1.7 billion Chicago casino project, marking a huge milestone towards the scheduled opening in Spring 2027.
The venue is estimated to create more than 3,000 jobs while offering 3,400 slot machines, 172 table games, a 3,000-seat entertainment theater, and a 500-room hotel. Initially, the 30-acre restructuring of the former Chicago Tribune Freedom Center was planned to open back in 2025, but redesigning and financing issues forced the postponement of the launch date.
Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson, Alderman Walter Burnett Jr, and Bally’s executive chairman Soo Kim were among the attendees, expressing their support for the project.
Soo Kim commented:
“This is a significant milestone for Bally’s Chicago and reflects the incredible effort of the union trades and partners who have made this moment possible. We’re proud of the progress to date and excited to move into the next phase as we deliver a one-of-a-kind destination for the people of Chicago.”
More than 1,000 tradespeople have worked on the Chicago project, representing one of the biggest active developments in the city.
Mayor Johnson stated:
“The casino, the hotel, the entertainment venue, and the restaurants are anticipated to generate more than $100 million in new revenue every year, which is going to make Burnett’s and my job a little bit easier to pass budgets that are equitably maintained.”
To conclude the event, the ceremony ended with the signing, lifting, and placement of the final beam.
The Chicago City Council has passed the city’s 2026 budget plan, which will include a 10.25% tax on gambling revenue and is expected to take effect on January 1, 2026.On...
