Illinois Casinos
Numerous Illinois casinos are currently operating, with more scheduled to open in 2023 in the Prairie State. The most recent addition to the Illinois casino scene is located in Waukegan.
The Temporary at American Place Casino is the 12th casino to open in the state, debuting on February 17th. The next casino on the horizon is the Golden Nugget in Danville, set to open this summer.
The biggest IL casino is yet to open.
Bally’s is constructing a massive casino on the site of the former Chicago Tribune printing facility at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street. The company aims to have the Chicago casino operational by 2026.
Meanwhile, Bally’s is planning to establish a temporary casino at Medinah Temple in the near future, with a potential opening date in 2023.
Illinois is not limited to just Chicago when it comes to new casinos. The 2019 gambling expansion includes plans for four additional casinos in the state, with one already in the works in Waukegan. Progress has been made on several of these projects, showing promising development in the Land of Lincoln.
- The Illinois Gaming Board has approved “preliminary suitability” for Danville, Williamson County, and the southern suburbs.
- The temporary Hard Rock Rockford location is now open for business.
- Construction of land-based casinos in Aurora and Joliet is expected to begin in 2023, replacing the Hollywood riverboat casinos.
Illinois has recently passed legislation allowing for online casinos, which means that in 2023 residents of the Prairie State may have access to Internet casino games and online poker.
At Play Illinois, we offer the most up-to-date information on casino news.
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Bally’s Chicago Casino Proposal Details
- Casino Manager: Self-managed
- Update: The Chicago Tribune website currently offers 500 slots and 25 table games for a limited time.
- Permanent location: The Chicago Tribune Publishing Center is situated on a 30-acre plot of land at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street in Chicago.
- Size: 30 acres
- Cost: $1.8 billion
- Slots: 3,400
- Table Games: 173
- Hotel Rooms: 500
- Restaurants: 6
- Bars: 3
- Amenities consist of a 3,000-seat entertainment venue, rooftop area, and multiple pools.
Chicago Casino, by the Numbers
The city is seeking proposals for a resort that features a casino, a hotel with a maximum of 500 rooms, as well as restaurants and bars. The chosen operator will have the opportunity to open a temporary casino at a location of their choosing for a period of up to two years.
- O’Hare and Midway International airports offer a total of 4,000 gaming positions, which include slot machines.
- Each year, the state allocates $500 million towards nonroad infrastructure projects across the entire state.
- Estimated annual revenue for police and fire pension funds: $160 million to $200 million.
- The Chicago casino would pay an effective tax rate of 40%, down from the previous rate of 72%.
- The casino will commence operations in 2025.
What’s the Tax Structure for the Chicago Casino?
From the beginning of the project, both the city and state have intended to impose high taxes on the casino’s earnings. A study conducted by Union Gaming Analytics in August 2019 found that a downtown Chicago casino had the potential to generate billions of dollars in revenue. However, the study also concluded that the casino would not be profitable under the current tax system.
Similar to other casinos, the revenue would be subject to a progressive tax structure. The existing rates and thresholds resulted in the casino essentially paying 72% of its total gross revenue to the city and state. With only 28% remaining to cover costs after accounting for comps and other tax rebates, it would have been challenging for the business to show any profit. In response, Illinois lawmakers made revisions to the tax tiers in late May.
The amendment to the Illinois gambling law did not decrease the rates for a Chicago casino, but it did increase the tiers for each graduated rate considerably. For instance, the previous top rate of 74.7% on monthly slot revenue exceeding $200 million now only applies to slot revenue surpassing $1 billion in a month.
Below is the table outlining slot tax rates:
| Adjusted Gross Revenue | State | City | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0-$25 million | 12% | 10.5% | 22.5% |
| $25 million-$50 million | 16% | 14% | 30% |
| $50 million-$75 million | 20.1% | 17.4% | 37.5% |
| $75 million-$100 million | 21.4% | 18.6% | 40% |
| $100 million-$150 million | 22.7% | 19.8% | 42.5% |
| $150 million-$225 million | 24.1% | 20.9% | 45% |
| $225 million-$1 billion | 26.8% | 23.2% | 50% |
| $1 billion+ | 40% | 34.7% | 74.7% |
The tax brackets for table games have been raised as a result of recent legal disputes. Once again, the goal is to lower the total liability without decreasing the rates themselves.
| Adjusted Gross Revenue | State | City | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0-$25 million | 8.1% | 6.9% | 15% |
| $25 million-$75 million | 10.7% | 8.4% | 19.1% |
| $75 million-$175 million | 11.2% | 9.8% | 21% |
| $175 million-$225 million | 13.5% | 11.5% | 25% |
| $225 million-$275 million | 15.1% | 12.9% | 28% |
| $275 million-$375 million | 16.2% | 13.8% | 30% |
| $375 million+ | 18.9% | 16.1% | 35% |
Chicago Casino Project History
Below is a chronological list of events related to the Chicago casino project:
- In February 2023, the Illinois Gaming Board approved supplier licenses for both the landowner and the Medinah Temple, which is set to be the temporary location for the upcoming Bally’s casino.
- Bally’s Chicago in River West received zoning approval from the Chicago City Council on December 14, 2022, but still requires approval from the Illinois Gaming Board.
- In November 2022, Bally’s finalized a $200 million deal to acquire the Freedom Center printing plant site from Nexstar Media Group. The facility, currently used for printing the Chicago Tribune, will now serve as the permanent location for the casino.
- Bally’s signed a deal with organized labor on October 17, 2022 to build the casino.
- Bally’s applied for a sportsbook license in Illinois on September 12, 2022.
- Mayor Lori Lightfoot of Chicago announced on September 9, 2022, the creation of a council dedicated to gathering input from the community regarding the development of Bally’s casino. The casino is set to open a temporary location in River North before transitioning to its permanent site in River West.
- Lori Lightfoot announced her selection of the winning casino bidder for Chicago on May 5, 2022.
- Three community meetings have been planned for this week, beginning on April 5, 2022, to review each potential site for the Chicago casino.
- Chicago reduced the number of casino proposals from five to three on March 22, 2022. The remaining proposals are from Bally’s Tribune, Hard Rock, and Rivers 78.
- Chicago initially set a deadline of Aug. 23, 2021 for request for proposals, but extended it to Oct. 29 due to negative responses from casino operators. Five bids were submitted by the extended deadline, which were subsequently presented to the public in December 2021.
- Amendment 5, passed in May 2020, updated the tax code for the Chicago casino. Subsequently, the city released a Request for Information (RFI) seeking a location for a downtown casino.
- In June 2019, Pritzker signed the bill authorizing a casino in Chicago. In August, Union Gaming Analytics conducted a study and identified five possible locations for the casino, while also criticizing the unworkable tax structure. The tax code for the Chicago casino was later amended in November by Bob Rita.
Illinois Casinos Near You
Illinois is home to 12 casinos, making it easy to find one nearby for a quick drive. The following casinos are currently operating in the Prairie State:
American Place Casino Waukegan
Full House Resorts opened The Temporary in Waukegan in February 2023. The Temporary includes 1,000 slot machines, 50 table games, and three restaurants. Full House Resorts has teamed up with Circa Sportsbook to provide a sports betting facility, which is set to open later in 2023. Circa Sportsbook will also introduce online betting, making it the eighth Illinois sportsbook. The permanent American Place casino is anticipated to open in 2025.
- The casino will be open temporarily on February 17, 2023.
- 4011 Fountain Square Place, Waukegan, IL 60085
- Telephone: 773-477-9515
- Email: [email protected]
- The permanent site is scheduled to open in 2025.
- Cost: $375 million
Argosy Casino Alton
In 1991, the Argosy Casino debuted on the Alton Belle riverboat. A larger vessel, the Alton Belle II, took its place just two years later, expanding the casino’s gaming options. The casino still operates on the same boat today, although it no longer cruises due to a change in state law in 1999. While the casino does not provide accommodations, it boasts over 800 slot machines, 12 gaming tables, and a self-branded retail book for sports betting.
- 1 Piasa St, Alton, IL 62002
- Telephone: 618-474-7500
Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel
In 2021, Bally’s Corporation acquired Jumer’s and rebranded it as Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel, representing the Illinois side of the Quad Cities. Originally a riverboat casino established in 1991, Jumer’s now boasts a 205-room hotel, four restaurants, a poker room, 25 gaming tables, and over 850 slot machines. Its prime location on the Mississippi River attracts a large number of visitors from nearby Iowa.
- 777 Ballys Blvd., Rock Island, IL 61201 – The address is:
- Telephone: 309-756-4600
DraftKings at Casino Queen
In June 1993, DraftKings at Casino Queen opened on the White Star One boat. Operations moved inland in 2007 with a significant expansion of gaming operations. In 2020, DraftKings Sportsbook partnered with the casino to incorporate its brand into the property’s name, in order to comply with the state’s co-branding rules for online sports betting. Today, the property boasts a hotel, an RV park, over 1,000 slots, 30 gaming tables, and a large retail sportsbook. Additionally, there are several dining options available at the complex.
- The address is 200 South Front Street in East St. Louis, Illinois 62201.
- Telephone: 618-874-5000
Grand Victoria Casino
Grand Victoria Casino has been offering casino gaming to residents of Chicago’s far northwest suburbs since October 1994. As one of Caesars’ numerous properties nationwide, the casino opened one of the first retail sportsbooks in 2020. In addition to the sportsbook, the casino features multiple dining options, event space, over 1,100 slot machines, and 36 gaming tables. While there is no lodging available on-site, the casino does have a VIP area for its most loyal customers.
- The address is 250 South Grove Avenue in Elgin, Illinois 60120.
- Telephone: 847-468-7000
Hard Rock Rockford Casino (temporary)
Construction of the permanent Hard Rock casino is underway, but in the meantime, a temporary casino is open in Rockford at the former location of Giovanni’s restaurant and convention center.
The transient casino will feature 736 slot machines and two dining options, and is expected to remain operational for the next one to two years.
- The address is 610 North Bell School Road in Rockford, Illinois 61107.
- Telephone: (779) 269-9010
Harrah’s Casino Joliet
Since its inception on the Northern Star boat in May 1993, Harrah’s Casino Joliet has undergone significant growth. The gaming floor now spans two barges with a combined total of over 50,000 square feet, housing 31 gaming tables, over 600 slot machines, and various dining options. Adjacent to the Des Plaines River, where the barges are docked, is a 200-room hotel. Unfortunately, the Harrah’s poker room is now permanently closed.
- 151 North Joliet Street, Joliet, IL 60432
- Telephone: 815-740-7800
Harrah’s Metropolis Casino
If you’re seeking fun by the Ohio River, consider visiting Harrah’s Metropolis Casino. With 800 slot machines, 20 gaming tables, five restaurants, event space, and a 258-room hotel, there’s plenty to enjoy at this Caesars property. Originally known as Players Island and established in 1994 with investment from Merv Griffin, this moored boat casino also features a steakhouse to satisfy your hunger while you play.
- Address: 100 East Front Street, Metropolis, Illinois 62960
- Telephone: 618-524-2628
Hollywood Casino Aurora
Originally the first casino boat for the Hollywood corporation, Hollywood Casino Aurora is now owned by Penn National Gaming. It has been in continuous operation since 1993, making it one of the oldest properties in Illinois.
The boat docked on the Fox River offers 26 gaming tables and more than 1,100 slot machines spread across a spacious 53,000 square feet of gaming space. While there is no nearby lodging, the boat does have three restaurants for guests to enjoy.
Penn is currently in the process of relocating the Aurora casino to a new land-based facility, with construction slated to commence in 2023.
- Address: 1 West New York Street, Aurora, Illinois 60506
- Telephone: 630-801-7000
Hollywood Casino Joliet
Originally known as the Empress Casino, Hollywood Casino Joliet began operating in 1992. After being acquired by Penn National in 2005, the casino underwent a significant renovation that was finished in 2009. The casino boat features a retail sportsbook, five restaurants, 18 gaming tables, and over 1,100 slot machines. Additionally, there is a 100-room hotel located adjacent to the boat.
Penn is currently in the process of relocating the Joliet casino to a new land-based facility. Construction is anticipated to commence in 2023.
- Address: 777 Hollywood Boulevard, Joliet, Illinois 60436
- Telephone: 815-744-9400
Par-A-Dice Casino
Nestled in the heart of the state, Par-A-Dice Casino is a floating casino situated on Peoria Lake. Offering a variety of amenities, including a hotel, multiple dining options, a sportsbook, 25 gaming tables, and more than 800 slot machines, there is something to suit every visitor’s preferences.
- Address: 21 Blackjack Boulevard, East Peoria, Illinois 61611
- Telephone: 309-698-7711
Rivers Casino
Located just minutes from O’Hare International Airport, the nearest casino to Chicago proper is home to the state’s first legal retail and online sportsbook, BetRivers. Rivers Casino, the youngest casino in IL, opened in July 2011 and offers six dining options, 65 gaming tables, and over 1,000 slot machines. While the casino does not have lodging, it has all the amenities for a great gaming experience.
- The address is 3000 South River Road in Des Plaines, Illinois 60018.
- Telephone: 847-795-0777
Illinois Casinos on the Way
Hard Rock Casino Rockford
- Temporary casino now open at the former Giovanni’s Restaurant & Convention Center.
- Location: Situated at the crossroads of State Street and I-90 in Rockford.
- The gaming space covers an area of 64,000 square feet.
- Cost: $310 million
- 1,000 positions available for both full-time and part-time employment.
- Some of the features include a Hard Rock Live entertainment venue, as well as a selection of bars and restaurants.
Walker’s Bluff Casino (Williamson County)
- Permanent Address of the Site: 326 Vermont Road, Carterville, Illinois 62918
- Cost: $180 million
- There are 1,000 job opportunities available, including both full-time and part-time positions.
- Slots: 650
- Table Games: 20
- Amenities include an event center, a pool and spa on the premises, and a waterpark.
American Place Casino Waukegan
- The casino temporarily opened on February 17, 2023.
- Fountain Square in Waukegan: A Fixture for the Future
- Cost: $375 million
- There are a total of 1,900 job opportunities available, including both full-time and part-time positions.
- Slots: 1,640
- Table Games: 100
- The amenities consist of a 1,500-seat entertainment venue, upscale dining options, a luxurious four-star hotel, and a landing pad for helicopters.
Wind Creek Casino Homewood/East Hazel Crest
- Temporary Casino: No
- Location of the site: Near Interstate 80, specifically on Halsted Street.
- Size: 69,160 square feet
- Cost: $440 million
- 800 positions available, both full-time and part-time.
- Slots: 1,350
- Table Games: 56
- Amenities at the property include a rooftop lounge with city views, a state-of-the-art entertainment complex, multiple bars, dining options, and a luxury four-star hotel.
Golden Nugget Danville
- Temporary Casino: No
- Location of site: Proximity to Southgate Industrial Park
- Size: 45,100 square feet
- Employment: 300 full-time jobs
- Slots: 500
- Table Games: 14
- A sports bar and two dining options are available, including a Saltgrass Steakhouse.