The dice at Bally’s Chicago will soon keep tumbling 24/7. The casino, currently running at the iconic Medinah Temple, is set to become a day-and-night operation starting December 27, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times. Till now, slot machines and gaming tables have been idling from the early hours of 4 a.m. till 8 a.m., a factor that Bally’s executives believe has been holding back their revenue performance.
With the green light from the Illinois Gaming Board secured to go nonstop, Bally’s aims to finally hit its stride in the competitive gambling market. “Opening our doors 24/7 is an important step as we continue to increase our visitation,” Mark Wong, the general manager of Bally's Chicago, told the Chicago Tribune. He added that this move aligns Bally's hours with those of their local competition.
Since its opening in September, the downtown casino has reported roughly $22 million in gross revenue, which has so far generated about $2.2 million in tax revenue directed toward Chicago’s police and firefighter pension funds. These figures fall short of former Mayor Lori Lightfoot's projection of $12.8 million anticipated for the city's coffers for the year, and the 24/7 transition is slated as a potential game-changer.
Bally's is not just planning to continuously play cards and cash out chips; they are also extending amenities to match. Around-the-clock dining will be available at the casino’s Wabash Cafe, while other operational enhancements include discounted parking and expanded shuttle service. The casino's expansion into 24/7 operation will not only test its ability to increase its revenue but also try to cater to a clientele that expects unhindered access to gaming services.
The luxurious Medinah Temple, with its Moorish architectural design, now houses about 800 slot machines and 56 table games spread over three floors, drawing gamblers to its storied setting. According to the Illinois Gaming Board data cited by the Chicago Tribune, Bally’s Chicago hosted 86,459 visitors in November, a climb from the previous month. Meanwhile, the casino is fourth in revenue state-wide, hopeful that the tick over to 24/7 operations could boost their standing.
While the clock ticks toward around-the-clock casino action, construction for Bally's permanent location is expected to commence in the summer of 2024. The $1.3 billion casino complex, which will be situated by Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street, will likely serve as a new hub for Chicago's gamblers upon its completion. Until then, Bally’s will continue to occupy and spruce up its temporary Quarters at Medinah through September 2026, according to plans outlined by the company.
