Bally’s, Rush Street, Hard Rock on Chicago Casino Shortlist

Bally’s, Rush Street and Hard Rock are on the shortlist for Chicago's first integrated casino-resort. The mayor has selected three plans from the five bids. She will choose her preferred winner by early summer. It will still need approval from City Council and the Illinois Gaming Control Board.

Bally's remaining bid proposes a $1.74bn casino and hotel at the Chicago Tribune Publishing Center. Rush Street Gaming's Rivers 78 proposal would see a property developed at a long-vacant riverfront site in the South Loop. Hard Rock International's proposal proposes to open a temporary casino in Q2 2024 and launch the permanent facility by the end of 2025.

Bally’s, Rush Street and Hard Rock are on the shortlist for a Chicago casino. Community engagement meetings will take place next month regarding the finalists” proposals. The bill to legalize a casino in Chicago was passed by the city's legislature in 2020.