Bally’s opened a temporary casino in Medinah Temple in Chicago on September 9, and in its first three weeks of operation, the casino attracted 80,000 visitors, second to 260,000 guests at Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, according to the Illinois Gaming Board.
Bally’s generated $6.7 million in gaming revenue, including $4.3 million from its 800 slots and $2.4 million on its 56 table games. Rivers Casino produced $41.5 million in gaming tax revenue in September.
At a ceremonial ribbon-cutting earlier this month, Mayor Brandon Johnson said he was “confident” that Bally’s could meet long-term projections, including $50 million in annual tax revenue from the temporary casino and $200 million annually from the permanent site. Bally’s Chairman Soo Kim said Bally’s was “still working out the kinks,” but he was optimistic about the casino’s debut. He added, “We’re here to keep our promises to the community. It’s just the first step of the longer journey, to build the whole permanent casino.”
Analysts said Bally’s revenue could increase as Chicagoans become more familiar with the temporary site and the casino opens its sportsbook.
