The opening date for a new Bally's casino in Chicago is now clouded in doubt, following a request to extend the venue's construction timeline by up to 12 months.
Initially planned for a September 2026 launch, the $1.8bn River West establishment may be forced to hold out until 2027.
However, the delay process is not quite as simple as it appears on paper. Bally's has already requested one 12-month extension to continue operations at its temporary Medinah Temple venue – the maximum allotted amount – and is currently contractually obligated to launch by September of this year.
And, as state gambling laws stipulate that no temporary casino may serve consumers for more than 24 months without a one-year extension, Bally's is close to exhausting its legal runway.
But due to significant challenges endured throughout the building process, Rep. Kam Buckner filed a one-off motion last week to stretch the Bally's project until September 2027. The Bill - HB 4437 - would allow Bally's to leverage Medinah Temple's facilities for an extra six months, followed by two additional three-month extensions if needed.
Should the motion fail, Bally's would be forced out of Medinah Temple and await the completion of its permanent Chicago casino.
Casino extension "on track" despite extension request
Bally's officials have affirmed that the development of Chicago's 34-story casino complex remains on course for prompt completion – branding Rep. Buckner's HB 4437 a cushion on which the organization can fall back if delays arise.
As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, Bally's Chief Development Officer Christopher Jewett informed City Council members that his team was requesting an extension to encourage responsible operations:
"This proposed legislation allows us to continue operating responsibly while we advance our permanent facility and deliver on the long-term commitments to Chicago."
Further, he expressed that the majority of work on the new high-rise complex could be ready by the end of 2026: "We're (Bally's) still targeting to try and get to substantial completion by the end of this year."
Jewett, who also spearheaded Bally's' successful push for a New York casino license in 2025, later highlighted the multifaceted transport and general construction hurdles facing the company:
"There's always 'unknowns'. There's challenges with permits. We're going to be highly dependent on one of our entryways, which is that Chicago Avenue bridge.
"You don't want a one-way-in, one-way-out for a casino. So there's a lot of variables. We're moving as fast as we can. Our goal is to get open. We'd love to be open today."
Meanwhile, Assistant Transport Commissioner William Higgins confirmed that work on the Chicago Avenue bridge is "on track" and that his team anticipates "being done with construction by December 2026".
But Rep. Buckner holds a more alarmist point of view, and believes his Bill provides the necessary backbone should hiccups stall progress:
"The whole thing may be in jeopardy, right? It's fair and healthy to have doubts. But the only way to figure that out is to let the process play out another 12 months. All I'm asking for is to give them the space that they need to, hopefully, make this thing work."
Demolition mishaps, illegal vehicles and misaligned timelines hampered construction
Bally's has overcome several significant obstacles throughout the construction of its Chicago casino complex – with physical errors, misaligned paperwork and fiscal shortcomings stalling headway.
In December 2024, demolition work on the old Chicago Tribune site was abruptly suspended due to a wall collapsing into the Chicago River, setting the scene for both safety and regulatory complications.
Five months later, workers were again instructed to postpone construction when it was discovered that an unauthorized waste hauler connected to criminal activity had been located on-site. Labor resumed after a two-week investigation.
Even funding partners posed notable troubles. Upon publishing a revised framework backed by major support from Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc (GLPI), the subsidizing body reported that the casino venture would open "in the fourth quarter of 2026" – indicating a launch period between October and December rather than September.
Speaking to iGB, GLPI Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy Carlo Santarelli assured that timeline expectations remained aligned across the board:
"Our focus is and has been on the development of the Bally's Chicago permanent casino and destination resort. The timeline to opening remains consistent with our expectations.
"The decision as to whether an extension for the temporary facility is granted has no impact on GLPI, other than a successful extension would be in the best interest of our tenant, and we, as a partner, are always hopeful that the best interests of our tenants are served."
Temporary casino underperforming amid timeline issues
Compounding frustrations among Bally's and city officials are dwindling revenue figures from Medinah Temple.
In 2025, the temporary casino venue accumulated $124.6m in gross revenue – with $15.8m set aside for city tax contributions. That figure sits short of the projected $16.5m tax haul detailed in the City of Chicago 2025 Budget paper.
That gap has narrowed since the prior year; in 2024, the city budgeted for $35m in direct tax revenue stemming from Medinah Temple. The venue accrued only $16m.
Yet, the potential legalization of video gaming terminals (VGTs) in 2026 could ease the impact of these lackluster fiscal results. Discussions are currently being held to allow for VGT proliferation in the city, with Illinois benefiting from $1.1bn in VGT tax revenue last year.
As broadcast by Bally's Vice President of Government Relations, the operator stands wary of citywide VGT incorporation, citing job losses and decreased venue revenue:
"To incorporate unregulated, independently managed VGTs as a budget line item will result in a loss of substantial new revenue for the City, and will create significant job losses at the Bally's Chicago Casino."
Visible progress being made on Bally's Chicago casino
Amidst timeline complications, regulatory roadblocks and financial uncertainty, construction of the Bally's casino complex in Chicago had made clear progress in 2026.
Photographs published by the Chicago Yimby showcase the successful installation of new glass window frames across the east side of the 500-room hotel and casino.
Whether these panels exist for testing purposes or shall serve the establishment on opening day remains to be seen.
One thing is clear: away from public statements and ongoing hurdles, Bally's remains firmly positioned to open in Chicago within two years.
