Bally’s Chicago is currently pursuing legislative support to extend its operations at the temporary casino located in Medinah Temple for an additional year, due to ongoing delays related to its $1.7 billion permanent casino development in River West.
A bill presented on Thursday by State Representative Kam Buckner aims to prolong the casino’s temporary operating license past its current September 2026 expiration. This proposal would provide an extra six months, with the possibility of two additional three-month extensions. This new timeline could enable Bally’s to operate at the Medinah Temple site until September 2027.
“Bally’s Chicago is dedicated to the establishment of its permanent casino and entertainment venue and will continue its operations at Medinah Temple in compliance with all regulatory standards during the extended period,” stated Christopher Jewett, Bally’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Development.
The revised target date follows a series of complications. Bally’s had previously planned to launch its permanent casino in September 2026, but revised its estimation last year to the fourth quarter of 2026. This timeline still required legislative approval to extend the temporary license, as per the Illinois Gaming Board’s regulations. Now, with the suggested bill, the launch may be postponed until late 2027.
Visual of the ongoing development
Chosen by the city in 2022, Bally’s was tasked to create what is expected to be Illinois’s largest casino. The development is in progress on the former site of the Tribune’s Freedom Center printing plant and will feature a 500-room hotel, a 3,000-seat theater, exhibition spaces, 10 dining establishments, and 4,000 gaming positions.
The construction of the permanent facility has faced numerous interruptions. In December 2024, the city halted demolition work due to debris from the Freedom Center site entering the Chicago River. Subsequently, in May 2025, the Illinois Gaming Board ordered a work stoppage after Bally’s engaged an unapproved waste hauler allegedly linked to organized crime.
Changes to the design have also contributed to these delays. In 2024, Bally’s shifted the planned 34-story hotel tower to a position south of the main casino structure after assessing that caisson drilling at the initial site could potentially damage nearby municipal water infrastructure along the river. The hotel tower is now under construction and is visible near the Ohio feeder ramp.
Bally’s temporary casino commenced operations at Medinah Temple in September 2023. Despite not meeting initial revenue expectations, it generated nearly $125 million in adjusted gross receipts and attracted 1.3 million visitors in 2025, ranking fifth among Illinois casinos.
The Illinois Gaming Board had authorized a two-year temporary license, which was extended for an additional 12 months, bringing the cumulative duration to three years. Buckner’s proposed legislation aims to extend this further while Bally’s works toward completing its permanent venue.
In contrast to Bally’s performance in 2025, other casinos in Illinois saw substantial growth. Based on data from the Gaming Board, the state’s 17 casinos accumulated over $1.9 billion in adjusted gross receipts last year, representing a 15% increase from the previous year. Admissions were also up nearly 20%, exceeding 15.5 million.
New establishments at Wind Creek Chicago Southland, Hard Rock Rockford, and the land-based Hollywood Casino Joliet played significant roles in this growth. The $360 million Hollywood Casino Aurora is anticipated to open in the first half of 2026.
Additionally, setbacks continue at the $500 million American Place Casino in Waukegan, which has been operating from a temporary site since February 2023. Following various challenges, including lawsuits, financing, and regulatory hurdles, Full House Resorts is expected to commence construction on the permanent casino in the first quarter of this year.
With a newly extended 18-month temporary license, the Waukegan venue aims to open in August 2027, positioning itself just ahead of Bally’s updated timeline. Last year, American Place generated nearly $122 million in adjusted gross receipts, ranking sixth in the state.