Casinos and Gambling
The latest news and updates about Illinois’ gambling expansion, which will bring a casino to Chicago and legalized sports betting across the state.
Missouri is one of a dozen states where sports wagering remains illegal more than five years after the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for states to adopt it.
The city’s first casino, the precursor to a larger one expected to be built in River West, has more than 700 slots and 56 table games, and will eventually be open 24/7.
Since opening in September, the casino at 600 N. Wabash Ave. has shut down from 4 a.m. till 8 a.m.
Leaders of the Des Plaines gaming emporium say there hasn’t yet been any sign of fraud or identity theft as a result of the breach, but the data could be dangerous in the wrong hands.
Ald. Brian Hopkins told the Sun-Times he fears Bally’s will run out of money to build a permanent casino in River West. He also offered an update on plans to revive Water Tower Place.
Excitement about the city’s first casino appeared to wane over its first full month, state figures show, as average daily revenue and admissions fell compared to the first few weeks at the River North gaming venue.
Legislation in Springfield could open the door to keeping the River North gaming venue operating beyond 2026. Bally’s says its permanent venue should be ready by then.
Bet on it: The sport, popular in Florida, is still around and attracting wagers from all over the country.
Bally’s now has until Sept. 9, 2026, to complete its 505,000-square-foot permanent casino complex in River West.
Kevin P. Braig, the Judge of the Logan County Court of Common Pleas in Bellefontaine, Ohio, next year will publish “Bookmakers vs. Ball Owners: The Untold Stories of the Birth, Death and Resurrection of Sports Gambling in America.”
Addiction treatment experts are bracing for a steady rise in people seeking help for gambling disorder as a result of the new Chicago casino, just like they’ve seen after other gaming expansions in Illinois.
It is a shiny, noisy and glitzy distraction that allows the well-connected to get wealthier at the expense of hard-working Chicago families and individuals who will lose their paychecks gambling there.
Figures released by the Illinois Gaming Board suggest the city’s first casino could fall behind initial city revenue projections this year — but they also hint at why it could become the most popular in the state.
Johnson helped cut the ceremonial ribbon Tuesday at Medinah Temple, which is expected to take bets for the next three years while a bigger permanent casino is built in River West.
Parlay cards have been in vogue for nearly 100 years, gaining early steam in factory towns on pay-day Fridays and collegiate dormitories, writes historian Arne K. Lang.
Caesars Entertainment has joined MGM Resorts International in reporting that it was hit by a cyberattack this week.
“We sincerely apologize for the featured parlay that was shared briefly in commemoration of 9/11,” the company wrote. “We respect the significance of this day for our country and especially for the families of those who were directly affected.”
Gamblers started lining up at 6:30 a.m. to take some of the first spins at the city’s first legal casino, at 600 N. Wabash Ave.
The casino at 600 N. Wabash Ave. will open to the betting public at 8 a.m. with nearly 800 slot machines and 56 table games in the heart of River North.
Bally’s will run supervised practice gaming sessions this week with about 350 guests in its temporary casino at Medinah Temple in River North. If all goes well, the casino could open by Saturday.
Bettors aren’t sold on Matt Eberflus’ squad, but they’re not high on any NFC North team.
Regulators will inspect the River North operation Sept. 5 and oversee practice gaming sessions Sept. 6-7, regulators said.
BetBash 3 would be capped by a grand crescendo, the last few sentences to the final chapter of a golden era.
A review of choice college football selections and big movers on the eve of the season must start with Iowa State and Northwestern.
Full House Resorts has been running a temporary casino in the north suburb since February, but an appellate court ruling could end up forcing officials to restart the selection process following complaints from the Forest County Potawatomi Community.
Penn will operate ESPN Bet, which ESPN has agreed to promote across its online and broadcast platforms in order to generate “maximum fan awareness” of the app.
Bet on it: Derek Stevens, who struck gold with popular hotel-casino Circa in Las Vegas, is bringing a sportsbook to Waukegan