The temporary casino at Medinah Temple is a prelude to the coming $1.74 billion entertainment hub in River West. The casino has 800 slot machines approximately, 56 table games around, alongside two full-service bars, restaurants, and a cafe, with a future provision for a sportsbook according to CBS News. Kim commented that the new facility is yet another invitation to visit downtown Chicago. Walter Burnett (27th) were part of the ceremony's traditional ribbon cutting, alongside Bally's chairman, Soo Kim. Now, Bally's temporary casino will operate in Medinah Temple for approximately three years, as a more permanent structure is built, with plans for the new opening in 2026, as reported by Hoodline. Although the Riverboat Gambling Act was enacted in 1990, it took until 2019 for the efforts of former Mayor Lori Lightfoot to finally push through a casino in Chicago. Many challenges emerged in Illinois before this project could materialize.
With a ribbon-cutting event, Bally's temporary casino, which already started betting operations around a month prior, was formally brought into operation, according to CBS News. As of today, Chicago saw the official launch of its first casino hosted in the Medinah Temple, a renowned landmark in River North.
