Chicago Opens Up RFP For Casino Resort And Will Take Applications Till August

Chicago has fought for many years to get a licensed casino resort up and running in the city. The Mayor of Chicago Lori Lightfoot announced that Chicago has published a request for proposal (RFP) on its website asking interested casino operators to submit a proposal of what kind of destination casino resort they will build, if they were to be granted a casino license.

Chicago is the third biggest metropolitan area in the United States and has a population of close to 10 million residents.

The city is looking to award the casino license to a developer who is willing to invest heavily to create a casino, a hotel with over 500 rooms, a convention center, entertainment venues, restaurants, bars and other non-gaming activities.

Chicago is yet to lockdown on a specific location where the proposed casino will be built. While a number of casino operators are interested in a location within city limits, Mayor Lightfoot said that they would work together with interested parties to determine a location that was mutually beneficial.

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Chicago has a thriving tourism industry with over 60 million visitors showing up annually. Mayor Lightfoot is considering the possibility of having the casino resort located outside city limits that will help develop surrounding areas outside the city. The last date for casino operators to submit their proposal is August 23, 2021.

The selected casino operator will then have to present their casino proposal to the City Council as well as different community meetings. This process is expected to take some time as the final application will be shortlisted only in 2022 with a potential casino opening expected in 2025.

Multiple Gaming Operators Interested

Chicago is a hot destination and there are a number of big name gaming operators who are keen to get the gaming license. Some of these operators include MGM Resorts, Hard Rock International, Wynn Resorts and Rush Street Gaming. Mayor Lightfoot said that they were aware that some of these casino operators had already sent their scouts in to look for a potential location.

The winning bidder will be granted a temporary casino license for 24 months and be eligible for a 12 month extension till the land based casino opens. The licensed casino operator will also be given permission to operate slot machines at Chicago O’Hare International and Chicago Midway International Airport.