The $180 million Bally’s Chicago permanent casino, originally scheduled to open in September 2026, is now facing uncertainty due to construction setbacks. The HB 4437 bill submitted on Thursday proposes to extend its temporary casino license for up to 12 months; if the bill passes, the permanent casino could be completed by September 2027 at the latest. This move stems from multiple obstacles in the project construction, compounded by lower-than-expected temporary casino tax revenues, VGT legalization disputes, and other issues, making the casino's establishment fraught with uncertainties. Relevant US casino project regulation and compliance cases can be referenced on the PASA official website.
Delay Proposal: HB 4437 Seeks a 12-Month Buffer Period
The introduction of the HB 4437 bill provides a potential solution to Bally’s predicament:
License extension rules: The bill, submitted by Representative Kam Buckner, initially grants a 6-month temporary license extension, with the possibility of applying for two additional 3-month extensions, totaling a maximum of 12 months;
Current status of the temporary casino: Located at Medinah Temple, the temporary casino has been operational since September 2023, with state law allowing a temporary license to last a maximum of 24 months. It received its first extension in 2023, and this new bill supports its continued operation;
Corporate and legislative attitudes: Bally’s describes the proposal as an "operational safeguard" to avoid the temporary casino being forced to close before the permanent casino is completed; Buckner openly states that "the project may be in jeopardy," and giving a 12-month observation period is a reasonable choice.
Construction Challenges: Multiple Obstacles Slow Down the $180 Million Project
Since breaking ground two years ago at the former Chicago Tribune printing plant site, the project has faced several setbacks:
Multiple work stoppages: Construction halted at the end of 2024 due to issues with waste removal, and there were also instances of unauthorized contractors on site;
Funding and design challenges: There was a significant funding shortfall, later addressed through a substantial financing agreement with Gaming and Leisure Properties (GLPI); major redesigns of the project layout were necessary due to potential impacts on city water lines;
Unclear progress signals: GLPI's 2025 update stated that the project is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2026 (deviating from the original September plan), and the December 2025 update did not mention a specific timetable.
Additional Pressure: Tax Revenue Below Expectations + VGT Legalization Dispute
Beyond construction, operational performance and policy environment also pose challenges to Bally’s:
Tax revenue below expectations: In 2025, the temporary casino adjusted its total revenue to $124.6 million, paying $15.8 million in taxes to the city, $0.7 million short of the budgeted $16.5 million; the shortfall was even larger in 2024, with only $16 million realized from a budget of $35 million;
VGT legalization gambling: Chicago currently prohibits Video Gaming Terminals (VGT), but these devices are a major source of gambling tax revenue in Illinois ($1.1 billion in 2025, far exceeding the casino's $430 million). Chicago's 2026 budget has already reserved $6.8 million in VGT license revenue, but negotiations are still ongoing;
Corporate warnings of consequences: Bally’s states that if VGTs are legalized, it will affect its annual $4 million payment to the city under the community agreement and could also lead to significant job losses.
————
This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leaders," a gambling industry news channel:https://t.me/pasa_news
Original deep gambling channel:https://t.me/gamblingdeep
Free data reports: @pasa_research
PASA Matrix: @pasa002_bot
PASA official website: https://www.pasa.news
