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The Illinois Gaming Board found Chicago casino license applicant Bally’s Chicago Operating Company, LLC preliminarily suitable at its June 15 public meeting.
Under the approval, Bally’s can continue preparing its site for casino gambling and hiring the employees necessary to operate the casino.
The plan is to begin construction in the city’s first casino in late 2024. The $1.7 billion development is projected to bring over 3,000 permanent jobs to the city. Bally’s Chicago will include 3,400 slots and 170 table games, along with 500 hotel rooms.
“The Board’s determination of preliminary suitability for Bally’s Chicago Casino is a significant, but not final, step in the regulatory process to open a casino in the City of Chicago,” said IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter. “The IGB will continue to work with Bally’s Chicago and other stakeholders to complete the remaining statutory requirements in an efficient, ethical and compliant manner.”
Preliminary suitability allows Bally’s to undertake and complete certain required tasks that will culminate in a pre-opening audit, a practice gaming session, and potential issuance of a temporary operating permit.
The casino may open to the public “when the next step is achieved,” the IGB said. Bally’s will get a temporary operating permit, allowing it to offer casino gambling at either a temporary or permanent facility in advance of licensure.
In May 2022, the city awarded Bally’s the right to build the casino.
In addition to the Bally’s approval, the IGB also awarded casino and sports wagering licenses to the American Place Casino in Waukegan, approved 12-month extensions for temporary casino operations in Waukegan and Rockford, and renewed the license of Bally’s Quad Cities Casino and Hotel for another four-year term during its regularly scheduled meeting.
Illinois is home to 13 casinos, more than 8,300 licensed video gaming establishments and ten sportsbooks. Casino gambling, video gaming and sports wagering generated more than $1.4 billion in tax revenue to the state and local communities in calendar year 2022.
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