Chicago’s first licensed casino arrived in 2023, but the temporary venue at Medinah Temple doesn’t include a hotel. A $1.7 billion integrated resort with a 500-room tower is under construction and expected to open in 2027, reports Urbanize Chicago. In the meantime, visitors looking for a Chicago casino hotel experience have several options in the suburbs and across the state line. This guide lays out what’s available now, what’s coming, and how to choose the right stay.
Last checked: 2026-06-28
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Current downtown casino: Bally’s Chicago at Medinah Temple · Permanent resort status: Planned, not yet built · Casino hotel with rooms on property: Ameristar East Chicago (IN) · Nearby Illinois casino with hotel: Wind Creek Chicago Southland
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-06-28.
Sources reviewed: Official property websites (city and state tourism pages, operator press releases), editorial sources (Wikipedia), hotel booking platforms, and construction project documentation.
We did not conduct on-site visits, staff interviews, or independent price verification. Data is current as of March 2025; references from Wikipedia span 2022–2024.
Chicago casino hotel snapshot
- Bally’s Chicago operates inside the historic Medinah Temple at 600 N Wabash Ave. The venue opened September 9, 2023. (River North Residents Association)
- The $1.7 billion integrated resort is being built at the former Chicago Tribune Freedom Center site (705 W Chicago Ave). (Urbanize Chicago)
- Wind Creek Chicago Southland is located at 17300 S Halsted St, East Hazel Crest, IL, and offers hotel-style accommodations on site. (Wind Creek Chicago Southland)
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Current downtown casino | Bally’s Chicago at Medinah Temple (River North Residents Association) |
| Permanent resort status | Planned, not yet built (Urbanize Chicago) |
| Temporary casino hours | 24/7 since December 2023 (River North Residents Association) |
| Nearby Illinois casino with hotel | Wind Creek Chicago Southland, East Hazel Crest, IL (Wind Creek Chicago Southland) |
Does Chicago have casino hotels?
Chicago currently has one downtown casino — Bally’s Chicago at Medinah Temple — but it operates without an on-site hotel. According to 500 Nations, the temporary venue reportedly occupies roughly 34,000 square feet over three floors and is said to offer about 800 slot machines and 56 table games. Visitors who want to sleep where they play must look beyond the city limits.
Within Illinois, the closest casino with attached hotel rooms is Wind Creek Chicago Southland, about 30 minutes south of downtown in East Hazel Crest. Across the state line in Indiana, both Ameristar East Chicago and Horseshoe Hammond operate full casino-resorts with hotel towers. A full Chicago casino hotel — the permanent Bally’s Chicago integrated resort — is under construction along the Chicago River and is expected to open in 2027, per Urbanize Chicago.
What this means: For a true casino hotel stay in 2025, you’ll drive to the suburbs or Indiana. The downtown experience is gaming-only until the permanent resort opens.
What is the main casino in Chicago?
The only casino within Chicago city limits is Bally’s Chicago, operating temporarily at Medinah Temple. It is the primary downtown option and has been open since September 2023.
Bally’s Chicago at Medinah Temple
The temporary casino at 600 N Wabash Ave is a three-level gaming floor with slots, table games, and a sports bar. It received Illinois Gaming Board approval to operate 24 hours a day in December 2023, as documented by the River North Residents Association. The building is a historic Shriners auditorium, and the casino lease runs for four years.
The planned full-scale Bally’s Chicago resort
The permanent Bally’s Chicago will be a $1.7 billion flagship destination on a 30-acre site at 705 W Chicago Ave. Plans include a 500-room hotel, a 3,000-seat theatre, six restaurants, and a food hall. Construction began in 2025, and the opening date has been revised from late 2026 to 2027, according to Urbanize Chicago. Drone footage from March 2026 indicates the superstructure and interior build-out are underway.
The bottom line: The main casino today is Bally’s temporary Medinah Temple property. The eventual main casino will be the large riverfront resort, but it’s still at least two years away.
Where will the Chicago casino be located?
Current temporary address
Bally’s Chicago temporary casino is at Medinah Temple, 600 N Wabash Ave, in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. It is easily accessible by public transit (CTA Red Line to Grand, then a short walk) and near many downtown hotels.
Planned permanent location
The permanent resort is being built at the former Chicago Tribune Freedom Center site, about one mile northwest at 705 W Chicago Ave, along the Chicago River in the River West neighborhood. The site is roughly 30 acres, as noted in construction updates. The new location will be closer to the Halsted Street corridor and will include a bridge connection to the riverwalk.
What to watch: The permanent site is a separate address from the temporary casino. Once the resort opens, the Medinah Temple casino will close and the lease will end.
What casino has a hotel in Illinois?
Several casino properties in Illinois and neighboring Indiana offer on-site hotel rooms, giving Chicago visitors a true casino hotel experience in 2025.
Wind Creek Chicago Southland
Located at 17300 S Halsted St in East Hazel Crest, this casino describes itself as a regional casino destination with hotel-style amenities. It is roughly a 30-minute drive from downtown Chicago and is the closest Illinois casino with rooms on property. (Wind Creek Chicago Southland)
Ameristar East Chicago (Indiana)
Just across the state line in Indiana, Ameristar East Chicago offers a full casino floor, multiple dining options, and a hotel. It is approximately a 20-minute drive from downtown Chicago, making it the nearest casino hotel with rooms on-site.
The catch: Both options require a car or rideshare. There is no direct public transit from downtown to either property.
Comparison: Chicago-area casino hotel options
| Property | Location | Has hotel rooms on-site | Casino size | Notable features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bally’s Chicago (temporary) | 600 N Wabash Ave, downtown Chicago | No | ~34,000 sq ft, 800 slots, 56 tables (per 500 Nations) | Historic Medinah Temple; 24/7 operation since Dec 2023 |
| Bally’s Chicago (planned permanent) | 705 W Chicago Ave, River West | Yes – 500 rooms (planned) | Not yet built; planned resort scale | $1.7 B resort; 3,000-seat theater; opening 2027 |
| Ameristar East Chicago | Indiana (approx. 20 min drive from downtown) | Yes | Not specified | Regional casino hotel; closest to downtown with on-site rooms |
| Wind Creek Chicago Southland | East Hazel Crest, IL (30 min drive south) | Yes | Not specified | Hotel-style amenities; Illinois location |
Best Chicago casino hotel options by traveler type
- First-time visitors to Chicago: Consider a downtown hotel near the Magnificent Mile and walk to Bally’s temporary casino for a taste of gaming. Avoid the suburban drive if you want to explore the city.
- Travelers who want on-site hotel rooms: Book Ameristar East Chicago or Wind Creek Chicago Southland. Ameristar is closer to downtown (20 min drive).
- Budget-conscious gamblers: Wind Creek often offers lower table minimums and package deals. Compare rates on booking platforms.
- Suburban visitors: If you live in the south suburbs, Wind Creek is the most convenient. If you’re near O’Hare, consider Rivers Casino Des Plaines (casino only, no hotel) but combine with a nearby hotel.
Pricing overview
Room rates at Ameristar East Chicago and Wind Creek Chicago Southland vary by season and demand. Based on hotel booking platform data, weekend rates at regional casino hotels generally start around $80–$120 per night for a standard room. Bally’s temporary casino does not have rooms, so downtown hotel costs range from $150–$300+ per night depending on season. No specific pricing was independently verified for this article.
The trade-off: Staying at a casino hotel saves you travel time between hotel and gaming floor, but it may mean staying outside the city. Downtown hotels give you Chicago’s attractions but require a short ride to the casino.
Location and getting there
- Bally’s Chicago temporary: 600 N Wabash Ave – walkable from many River North hotels; CTA Red Line to Grand.
- Ameristar East Chicago: 777 W Gutierrez St, East Chicago, IN – drive via I-90 (about 20 min from downtown). No public transit direct.
- Wind Creek Chicago Southland: 17300 S Halsted St, East Hazel Crest – drive via I-57 or I-94 (about 30 min).
Timeline: Key dates for Chicago casino hotel development
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| May 2022 | Mayor Lightfoot announces Medinah Temple as temporary casino site | Wikipedia |
| Dec 2022 | Chicago City Council approves Bally’s plan | Wikipedia |
| Sep 9, 2023 | Temporary casino opens at Medinah Temple | RNRA |
| Dec 2023 | Illinois Gaming Board approves 24/7 operation | RNRA |
| 2025 | Construction of permanent resort begins | Urbanize |
| Jan 2026 | State bill introduced to extend temporary license; opening pushed to 2027 | Chicago Tribune, Urbanize |
Our recommendation
For first-time visitors wanting a downtown experience
Book a hotel in River North or along the Magnificent Mile and spend an evening at Bally’s temporary casino. You get the Chicago atmosphere and can walk to restaurants and attractions. The lack of an on-site hotel is a minor inconvenience given the location.
For travelers who need a hotel attached to the casino
Choose Ameristar East Chicago for the shortest drive from downtown, or Wind Creek Chicago Southland if you prefer to stay within Illinois. Both provide a full casino-resort experience with on-site rooms, dining, and gaming.
dmassociates.com, yelp.com, riverscasino.com, en.wikipedia.org
Frequently asked questions
Does Bally’s Chicago have a hotel?
No. The temporary casino at Medinah Temple does not include a hotel. The permanent Bally’s Chicago resort will have a 500-room hotel tower, but it is not expected to open until 2027. (Urbanize Chicago)
Where is the closest casino hotel to downtown Chicago?
Ameristar East Chicago, located in Indiana about a 20-minute drive from downtown, is the nearest casino with on-site hotel rooms. (Hotel booking platform data)
Is Wind Creek Chicago a hotel casino?
Yes. Wind Creek Chicago Southland in East Hazel Crest, IL, describes itself as a regional casino destination with hotel-style amenities and offers on-site lodging. (Wind Creek Chicago Southland)
Are there any casinos downtown Chicago?
Yes, one: Bally’s Chicago at Medinah Temple (600 N Wabash Ave). It is the only casino within Chicago city limits. (River North Residents Association)
When will the permanent Bally’s Chicago resort open?
Construction is underway, and the opening has been pushed to 2027 (revised from late 2026). The timeline depends on state legislative extensions of the temporary license. (Urbanize Chicago)