About Bally’s Casino in Chicago
Opened as a temporary facility in September 2023, Bally’s Casino in Chicago is located in the River North neighborhood. Bally’s is working on constructing a permanent location in River West, with an anticipated opening in late 2026 or early 2027.
Inside the temporary facility, patrons will find nearly 800 slot machines and nearly 60 live table games. Playing these games earns rewards points if you’re a member of the Bally’s Rewards program; points can be redeemed for discounted hotel and casino stays, multipliers, betting credits, complimentary dinners, Carnival cruises, and much more!
Free parking is available for new members of the rewards program on their first visit, but otherwise, you’ll need to pay to park. Both the Chinatown and Uptown shuttles will make stops at the casino, but the Uptown shuttle does not run on Tuesday or Wednesday.
It’s unclear whether the permanent location will have free parking.
If you need a break from the gaming floor for food or drinks, there are five bars and restaurants at the casino, one of which (Wabash Cafe) is open 24/7.
Is there sports betting at Bally’s Casino Chicago?
No, there isn’t sports betting at Bally’s Casino Chicago. As of May 2024, Bally’s has not yet applied for an Illinois sports betting license.
This is a bit surprising given that Bally’s operates an online sportsbook called Bally Bet, which is legal in Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, New York, Ohio, and Virginia. Illinois has the fourth-largest lifetime sports betting handle by state, so it’s possible Bally’s is waiting until closer to the launch of the permanent facility before investing in the licensure process.
Bally’s Casino Chicago and Bally Bet partnership
As mentioned above, Bally’s Corporation has launched the Bally Bet sportsbook, which is now live in seven states. Due to issues with the software platform on which Bally’s ran the bookie, the sportsbook temporarily shut down in the summer of 2023, leading to an overhaul of the product.
While it’s unclear whether Bally’s will pursue Illinois sports betting licensure, either for retail or online purposes, applying certainly seems to be the prudent choice. The sports gambling industry in Illinois is simply too large for Bally’s not to vie for a piece of the revenue.
Which other types of gambling does Bally’s Casino Chicago offer?
Here are the types of gambling offered at Bally’s Casino Chicago.
