The First Casino in Chicago Now Open After a 30-Year Wait

Article by : Erik Gibbs Sep 14, 2023

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In a twist for the Windy City, the dice are rolling, the cards are shuffling, and the bets are on as Chicago steps up to the gambling table. It’s a game-changer as the city’s first casino, Bally’s temporary gaming hall, threw open its doors at the historic Medinah Temple this past weekend.

The new casino opened at 600 N. Wabash Ave. Buckle and gaming services will be available seven days a week and 24/7. The temporary setup is the real deal, slated to serve as the city’s gambling hub for at least two years while the grandeur of a permanent casino emerges.

Bally’s temporary casino boasts 750 slot machines, 55 table games, and two restaurants. The site will also have a cozy café for those well-deserved snack breaks.

Table minimums ranging from $15 to $25, depending on the game and the time of day, will allow casino fans to engage with their favourite dynamics. State regulators made sure all the gaming dynamics were running in ideal condition.

Authorities orchestrated meticulous “dry runs” at the casino earlier this week, with 350 pre-approved guests getting their game faces on and wagering with their hard-earned cash.

In a twist, the proceeds from these dress rehearsals will be funnelled towards local charities during a grand ribbon-cutting ceremony later this month. This confirms the casino’s commitment to giving back to the community.

A $1.7-billion permanent gaming paradise is set to rise at the Tribune Publishing site, 700 W. Chicago Ave. The property will not only hold a casino but a resort, too, complete with 3,400 slot machines, 173 table games, an exhibition hall and a lavish 500-room hotel.

The road to this gamble had its twists and turns. Initially, the temporary casino was slated for the Tribune site itself. Still, concerns over traffic congestion on Chicago Avenue during the construction of the permanent site led city leaders to pivot and shop at the iconic Medinah Temple.

Stepping into the Medinah Temple’s gaming arena is a sensory overload of glitz and glamour as 400 slot machines beckon with their shimmering allure, making a grand statement at the casino’s entrance along Wabash.

Casino slots include top alternatives such as Cash Falls, Butterfly Rise, Queenie and Ocean Spin. As players venture further into this captivating realm, they will be greeted by a massive circular bar occupying pride of place on the first floor.

The Medinah Temple’s gaming experience includes classics like craps, blackjack, baccarat and roulette, among other games. Table minimums are dynamic, ranging from $15 to $25.

Players feeling particularly bold can access the VIP tables on the top floor, where the stakes rise higher and where Ameet Patel, the senior vice president at Bally’s, claims all players are welcomed.

The financial forecasts are singing a different tune. According to the Sun-Times, the Medinah Temple’s temporary casino is projected to shower the city with $55 million in tax revenue annually.

Bally’s has committed to splurge $75 million on infrastructure improvements around the casino site to sweeten the deal. From synchronized traffic signals to the reconstruction and widening of nearby roads, they’re leaving no stone unturned.