Another Illinois casino will be adding a retail sports betting option for customers.
Last week, Rock Island City Council approved the $34 million renovation to help Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel. Folks in Rock Island looking to take advantage of sports betting in Illinois will soon have a spot for sports fans to place wagers on their favorite teams.
With the funding, hotel rooms will be updated. Also, a Bally’s Sportsbook will be added to the casino floor. Expectations are that the project will start in December 2023, taking about four years to complete.
Bally’s is not yet licensed for sports betting in Illinois. The company has applied to the Illinois Gaming Board. The application is pending.
Bally’s casino looks to increase jobs and tax revenue with renovation
Since local and state taxes are generated from sports betting, Rock Island will see a direct economic impact, according to Rock Island city officials. According to the agreement, Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel will receive up to $4.7 million from the city’s Tax Increment Finance District (TIF).
It will be the first time since the casino opened its doors in 2008 that the facility will receive an upgrade. The renovations will come at no cost to taxpayers. The city has nearly $12.5 million in eligible TIF redevelopment costs. However, to be entitled to the $4.7 million inducement, Bally’s must invest $12.5 million into the $34 million project.
Rock Island City Community and Economic Development Director Miles Brainard spoke with local TV station WVIK. He says once Bally’s Sportsbook opens its new gaming facility, it can stay competitive with Iowa sportsbooks, which already offer sports betting.
“One of the things we see here in Illinois lately is a number of new casinos coming online in the market, said Brainard. “Of course, we have one that’s going to be in Chicago but also Rockford, a little closer to us. So in order to be competitive it’s important for them to add on these things.”
Details of the Bally’s Quad Cities Casino renovation
The project contains the renovation of all 205 hotel rooms. Bally’s also plans to convert the DJ’s Steakhouse into a new sportsbook and sports lounge area. The new gaming venue will feature several big-screen TVs and a room available for private parties.
More importantly, Bally’s anticipates adding 80 new jobs and increasing employee compensation.
Bally’s also building largest Illinois casino
Bally’s is also the company building the largest casino in Illinois. The $1.7 billion Bally’s Chicago casino will be in the River West district.
The project will create 3,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permanent jobs.
The permanent Bally’s Chicago casino will open in 2026. Meanwhile, the company has plans to open a temporary casino at Medinah Temple in River North.
The Illinois Gaming Board recently approved two supplier licenses for the companies. Specifically, the licenses are for owners of the building and the land it sits on.
Bally’s has not given a firm date for the opening of the temporary casino, but observers believe it will be ready by this summer.
