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Canadian regulators have given the green light for Bally’s Corporation to launch its online casino app, Bally Bet. However, the government agency, iGaming Ontario, announced the app would not feature sports betting.
Bally’s has been busy as of late. In addition to entering the Canadian gaming market, the company is also working to open a temporary Chicago casino by 2023.
Bally Bet online casino app enters Canada
Customers using Bally Bet for the first time can expect online slots, blackjack and roulette. In addition to Canada, Bally Bet is now live in six jurisdictions.
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Iowa
- Indiana
- New York
- Virginia
The company also offers NJ online casino games, but it’s branded as Bally Casino.
Ontario’s gaming laws allow operators to offer online sports betting and online casino gaming. So there is a chance Bally’s could feature sports betting down the road.
David Sandler, a spokesperson for Bally’s, said, “the sportsbook arm of the site is currently in development, [and] there is no scheduled launch for the Bally Bet sportsbook currently.”
Ontario’s online gaming market now includes 19 operators.
Bally’s also opening temporary Chicago casino next year
After winning the bidding war to open Chicago’s first Casino, Bally’s announced a temporary location would open in June 2023. The company plans to convert the Medinah Temple into a casino but first needs approval from the Chicago Landmark Commission Review Committee.
The review process will start on August 4.
Bally’s plans to begin construction on its permanent location in the River North neighborhood. However, the company is in the middle of its review process with the Illinois Gaming Board to receive its casino license. Pending no setbacks, the casino won’t be open until 2025.
The project, which is expected to cost upwards of $2 billion, will include 3,400 slot machines and 173 table games.
Additional amenities include:
- Outdoor park
- Outdoor music venue
- 3,000 seat theater
- Chicago sports hall of fame
- Restaurants and bars
In June, Bally’s submitted its first multi-million dollar payment to the city. The first $40 million will help Chicago’s pension cost. City analysts estimate the casino will generate at least $200 million in tax revenue once fully operational.
After receiving the first payment, Mayor Lori Lightfoot released the following statement:
“This is the first down payment from the casino on the future of Chicago’s pensions and a clear indication of the city’s commitment to its hard-working public safety professionals. In the years to come, the Chicago Casino is projected to bring hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue to the city, with many of those revenues earmarked for pensions.”
