First look at Bally's Casino Chicago, now open

Bally’s Casino at Medinah Temple, opening Saturday morning at 8am is already off to a great start! Proceeds from the casino’s two “rehearsal runs” on Wednesday and Thursday will be distributed among local Chicago charities. Now, we’re talking! It’s been a long wait for this Casino, but according to reports, there will be a big pay-off for the city with an expected annual revenue estimated at $50 million.

For the “practice runs,” guests were invited via email with a designated time slot. After they arrived, they were allowed to stay as long as they wanted. Open bars and samples from all the restaurants were available. The Center Bar on the main level was packed with happy gamblers and fans who were surrounded by colorful slot machines.

Inside this historic River North landmark, a 34,000-square-foot gaming playground awaits featuring nearly 800 state-of-the-art slots (with multi-denominations up to $100 machines) and 56 live-action table games including Blackjack, Baccarat, EZ Baccarat, Roulette, Craps, and more. On the first floor, guests will find the Wabash Café, slots and Casino Bar; second level has table games and slots, Players Club and the cashier; and the third-floor offers table games, slots, Baccarat, restaurants, bar and lounge.

Gambling regulators oversaw practice gaming sessions on Wednesday and Thursday to determine if the casino will open this weekend, and it passed all inspections. Ameet Patel, Bally’s regional general manager, said in a Sun-Times article, “We think we’re ready. We want to show them that we’re 110% ready. This will be a proud moment for Chicago and everybody around this area.”

The casino has retained many of the details from the original tenants. The famed stained-glass windows are still intact, with a bar taking the place of the former customer service area, that was a part of the Bloomingdale's Home Store, on the main floor. Escalators take guests to the second and third level gaming floors where there are more crap tables, roulettes, and slots. On the bottom level, which was closed, artist Shawn Michael Warren was busy capturing the glory of Medinah Temple's past, that included Shriner’s Circus images and, for the centerpiece, a big red Shriner’s fez.

After guests enter at 600 N. Wabash, they will be met with a full-service bar, video poker and slot machines, all spread out on a colorful blue-and-red carpet. A variety of dining options include Kitchen 888, a modern high-energy restaurant, and Noodle Bar Inspired by Asian Street Food; Medinah Bistro, a relaxed atmosphere with a diverse menu featuring classic comfort food; Wabash Café, with fast, ready-to-eat options and a signature nitro brew coffee; Center Bar, on main floor offering cocktails, locally brewed beers and premium wines; and the Bistro Bar on the third floor.

The proposals for Bally’s development plans are below and will be completed in phases according to Bally’s Chicago website:

• Bally’s Corporation: $1.8 billion property in the Chicago Tribune Publishing Center with 500 rooms; six restaurant/cafes and a food hall; three bars and lounges; 3,000-seat, 70,000 sq. ft. entertainment venue; 20,000 sq. ft of exhibition space; outdoor/rooftop green space including bars, lounges and pools; 3,400 slots and 173 table games.

As guests left, colorful red goody bags were distributed that contained a Bally’s t-shirt, wrist band and a note from Mark Wong, Bally’s VP and general manager. “As you played tonight, we hope lady luck was on your side but want you to know the City of Chicago is the ultimate winner, as all casino proceeds generated from our two rehearsal sessions will be donated to local Chicago charities. Thank you for being a part of history in the making.”

A big winner in this casino deal is Medinah Temple owner Al Friedman, who according to a Sun-Times article, will receive $16.5 million in total rent over a four-year term and $330,000 in management fees, plus the property tax which has exceeded $1.1 million a year.

As the last line in Casablanca goes, “Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”