The temporary casino, which will operate by 2026, is expected to generate $15 million to $25 million in revenue this year

Located within the historic Medina Temple, Bali’s Chicago Casino made its impressive debut near the bustling River North in the city. Despite operating for three weeks, the casino has attracted more than 80,000 visitors and grossed about $6.7 million, according to data released by the Illinois Gaming Commission.

Bali’s Chicago Emerges As America’s Second Busiest Casino
While promising, the figures put Bali’s Chicago as the state’s second-busiest casino behind Death Plains’ Rivers Casino, which reported substantial $41.5 million in revenue in September. But Bali’s revenue is in the middle of the state’s 15 casinos, showing strong growth potential.

Chicago, Bali, which opened on Sept. 9, transformed the historic Medina temple into a vibrant gambling venue with 800 slot machines, 56 game tables, a central bar, two restaurants, and a coffee shop. The Casino’s smooth launch was marked by a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and other city officials.

In a statement from the Chicago Tribune, Bali’s board chairman, Soo Kim, expressed optimism about the casino’s future, despite the initial challenges it faces in its early stages of operation. He acknowledged “whispering” and downtown traffic disruptions as challenges during the first month of casinos, saying it was early days and they were still working on their inflection points.

One notable aspect of Bali’s Chicago Open was an unexpectedly young crowd in the table game, indicating a change in demographics compared to other Bali properties. Kim expressed his passion for the opportunity to introduce games to downtown Chicago, with the goal of changing the local perception as a viable place for such entertainment.

Bali’s Chicago Temporary Casino Surges, Expect Profitable Future Earnings
The temporary casino, which will run by 2026, is expected to aim to generate $15 million to $25 million in revenue this year. In September alone, Bali’s Chicago paid about $868,000 in state taxes and $695,000 in local taxes, and the city expects nearly $70 million in total revenue from casinos in 2023, including Bali’s $40 million temporary prepayment.

In the future, Chicago in Bali has ambitious plans for the future. The Rhode Island-based company won a competitive bid last year and plans to build a $1.74 billion permanent casino on Tribune Publishing’s Freedom Center printing plant site in River West by 2026. Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed confidence in Bali’s ability to meet its long-term outlook, planning $50 million in annual revenue at the Medina site and $200 million annually at the permanent site. 릴게임