Wait for a new casino for the people of Chicago is finally over following a just released report from Bally’s. According to the casino provider, gambling activities will officially take off once the process of converting Medinah Temple to a temporary casino is completed. According to the management of Bally’s, it might be a while before they embark on building their own premises and so they have decided to fill the existing void with a quick solution.
Since the company already received a license to run a betting operation in Chicago, it is only a matter of time before there is a Bally’s brick and mortar establishment in the area. Construction plans to put up a permanent casino have already been finalized and the groundout is expected to begin soon in River North. Considering all factors that entail a construction of this magnitude, the new Illinois casino might open its doors to the public in 202. The purpose of Medinah Temple at this time is to keep gamblers engaged as they wait for the casino project to be completed.
What we cover
Temporary casino in Chicago
Even though Bally’s has been granted approval to set up a gambling operation in the Chicago area, the idea to set up a temporary casino was quite considerate. There are obviously gaming enthusiasts in the area and any sort of delay will probably make them to feel disenfranchised. In line with the spirit of creating unforgettable gambling experiences for their clients, the management of the casino has announced that the makeshift operation will be in effect from the third quarter of 2023. It is believed that the longest that the Temple building can serve in this capacity is three years.
In its current state, Medinah Temple is inhabitable and so some renovations will have to be done. Amid concerns from local residents that the building is an important component of Chicago history, Bally’s has promised to maintain the original architecture of the more than 110 year old building. Some of the aspects of the building which will remain intact after the Temple has been remodeled include third floor ceiling, stained glass windows and copper domes.
The contract for the renovation has been awarded to STL Architecture, based in Chicago. According to Luis Collado from the organization, the plan of the construction is to reinforce the building to protect its historic value. One of the proposed ways for achieving this is to create a space between the usable area and the areas that require preservation. By allowing light to go through the windows, the intended purpose of the construction will be reactivated.
When the temporary casino is unveiled in 2023, everybody will be able to see the beauty of the historical building and understand the location choice. It is not yet clear if the building will be used for commercial purposes after Bally’s are done with it but either way, it will be in excellent condition.
For those who are not familiar with the location of Medinah Temple, the best time to view it is now before the renovation works begin. It is worth witnessing the state of the building before and after renovations, just to appreciate the effort at preserving history. The building stands on 600 N. Wabash Ave.
Now that there is express will by Bally’s to offer casino services before they can set up a permanent premise in Chicago, the next step is to seek approval from the Chicago Landmark Commission Review Committee. The brand will therefore have to wait for the review process to be completed.
Casino project by Bally’s
Setting up a gambling operation in the premises of the Medinah Temple is just a single step of what the $1.7 billion worth Chicago casino is planned to achieve. Bally’s has already received the green light from the city administration authorizing for the use of the historical structure. In addition to that, the company has also been allowed to set up its River North Casino but development plans still need to wait because the Illinois Gaming Board is yet to issue the company a license.
In simple terms, both the temporary and permanent casinos planned for Chicago will have to wait before any construction work can begin. The management of these two casinos must wait for the final approval from city officials. The operator had worked on its paperwork and done the filing for the main building in June so it is possible that the approval very soon.
The next step right now is to wait for the Illinois Gaming Board to go through the application; once it has passed the review stage successfully, Bally’s will be at liberty to set the ball rolling as far as the construction of the two projects is concerned. It must be understood that bringing a casino to downtown Chicago is not anything easy and a lot of people are waiting to see how it goes. Critics are particularly eager to witness anything negative because they will associate it with the level of difficulty involved.
Nevertheless, there is every indication that the project will be moving forward sooner rather than later. Assuming that the ride will be smooth all the way, Chicago will be home to a brand new casino, albeit temporary sometime in the coming year. The main casino will take a bit longer to get established and should be up and running in 2025.
Conclusion
The typical process of seeking approval for the establishment of a casino begins with submitting the required documents to the approval body. Upon being approved, a casino investor will begin to accumulate funds for setting up the operation. Bally’s has decided to do it differently and will be putting up a temporary operation as they wait for the completion of the main premises. It is still too early to establish whether this move is profitable but there must be other companies watching for further action.
