Construction of Chicago casino reignites, as gambling authorities grant Bally's the green light.
Chicago's Bally's Casino Back in Construction Mode
After a brief standstill, the construction of Chicago's flashy new Bally's casino is up and running once more. The Illinois Gaming Board, the state government agency overseeing the project, has lifted a stop-work order issued back in May, albeit with minimal explanation.
The agency released a terse statement on Wednesday, stating:
"Today, we, the Illinois Gaming Board, have lifted our May 1's construction halt for the permanent Bally's Chicago Casino project. Our concerns stemmed from undisclosed vendors that were handling the project. Presently, we assure that no vendors are working on this casino construction project sans our approval."
The enigmatic declaration from the agency offers little insight into the specifics of the issue or the resolution.
The $1.7 billion casino complex, slated to house 3,300 slot machines, 173 table games, a 500-room hotel, a 3,000-seat entertainment venue, and a smorgasbord of dining options[1], has faced a string of challenges since its approval by the City Council in 2022. Despite these obstacles, including a temporary halt and legal disputes regarding investment offerings, the project is now gunning forward.
The revival of construction comes after Bally's addressed its vendor disclosure issues and pledged to implement ongoing oversight improvements. The Illinois Gaming Board confirmed that all current vendors are now operating with the board's blessing, although the investigation into the matter continues[5]. The project will face increased scrutiny from regulators and other stakeholders moving forward[5].
[1] Project Overview: https://www.ballyscasino.com/chicago/[2] Mob-Linked Waste Hauler Linked to Casino Construction: https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/2023/4/28/23648936/ballys-chicago-casino-construction-stop-work-order-mob-tied-garbage-company-d-p-construction[3] Illinois Gaming Board Allows Bally's Casino Construction to Resume: https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/2023/5/16/23703654/ballys-chicago-casino-illinois-gaming-board-stop-work-order[4] Bally's Casino Expected to Generate Over $800 Million in Annual Revenue: https://www.chicagobusiness.com/real-estate/2022/12/02/illinois-casino-project-wins-chicago-city-council-approval[5] Bally's Illegal Activities: An Ongoing Saga: https://illinoischatronews.com/articles/2128/ballys-illegal-activities-an-ongoing-saga
- As construction at Chicago's Bally's Casino resumes, a focus on casino-culture and vendor transparency is paramount, given the recent disclosure issues that prompted a halt.
- With the Illinois Gaming Board's approval, the ongoing Bally's Chicago Casino project will continue, featuring thousands of casino-games, including slot machines and table games, as part of the established casino-and-gambling culture.
