Station Casinos and Bally’s are advancing with significant development initiatives in Nevada and Illinois, as Green Valley Ranch reopens its enhanced poker room in Henderson, and Bally’s progresses on the $1.7 billion permanent Chicago casino project.

Both entities are focused on projects that encompass new facilities and gaming features aimed at strengthening future operations.

Green Valley Ranch Poker Room Reopening

The Green Valley Ranch poker room will officially reopen on December 18 at 11 a.m., returning to its original spot within the Henderson casino. The venue will function 24/7 and will showcase 15 tables enhanced with state-of-the-art audio-visual systems. The poker room will host games including 4/8 and 8/16 Limit Hold’em; 1/2, 2/3, and 3/5 No Limit Hold’em; Time Rake Hold’em; Pot Limit Omaha; and Omaha Hi/Lo at 4/8, 6/12, and 8/16. The numbers correspond to the blind level rake, where a 1/2 game has a $1 small blind and a $2 big blind.

The relaunch is a part of a comprehensive $200 million renovation of the property. Recent upgrades at the Henderson resort include refurbishments to the West Tower rooms, High-Limit Slot and Table Games areas, the Polaris casino bar, Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, and Drop Bar. Renovations to the Regal Theaters complex and plans for a Nielsen’s Frozen Custard outlet are also underway.

To celebrate the reopening, Green Valley Ranch will introduce a 24/7 Mystery High Hand Promotion from December 18 through January 1. Participants can win prizes ranging from $50 to $500 every 30 minutes for the highest hand in the poker room and gain entries for a $5,000 drawing set for January 1 at noon.

Advancements at Bally’s Permanent Chicago Site

Bally’s has unveiled interior renderings of its River West casino in Chicago, illustrating the gaming floor and dedicated poker and baccarat rooms. The $1.7 billion project is expected to feature 3,400 slot machines, a 500-room hotel, a rooftop pool and bar, dining options, a 3,000-seat theater, and a public park that includes a riverwalk extension.

A crane was positioned at the site of the former Tribune printing press near Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street last month. According to Illinois law, Bally’s must begin accepting wagers at the permanent location by next September. Earlier this year, the Illinois Gaming Board temporarily halted the project for two weeks following reports of a reputed mob-connected waste management company working on-site; the investigation is still ongoing.

Bally’s has operated a temporary casino at Chicago’s historic Medinah Temple for over two years, generating approximately $270 million in adjusted revenue since September 2023, which includes $41 million in state tax revenues and $33.6 million allocated to police and firefighter pensions. Last month, the company reported $8.4 million in revenue, reflecting a 13% decrease from November 2024, according to state records.

As funding efforts continue in Chicago, Bally’s is also pursuing a separate project in New York. As part of a land agreement, the operator intends to pay $115 million to the Trump Organization once it secures its New York gambling license.