The Great Illinois Casino Gold Rush: How Many Shiny New Gambling Dens Are We Talking About?
Ah, Illinois. Land of Lincoln, land of deep dish pizza, and now, apparently, the land of a whole bunch of brand new casinos! If you're itching to up the ante on your next trip to the Prairie State, you might be wondering just how many shiny new places are there to tempt your lucky penny (or dollar, or wad of cash, no judgement here). Well, buckle up, my friend, because we're about to dive into the glittering world of Illinois' casino boom.
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| How Many New Casinos Are In Illinois |
Fresh Off the Boat (Land): A Look at New Casinos
The winds of change (and probably some serious tax revenue) swept through Illinois in 2019 with the Rebuild Illinois Act. This act, among other things, gave the green light for six sparkly new casinos to be built across the state. That's right, six! We're talking about a full-on casino construction party.
Now, as of May 2024, things are still hot off the presses (or should we say, slot machines?). Four of these newbies have already opened their doors, welcoming eager gamblers with flashing lights and the sweet jingle of coins. These include:
- Walker's Bluff Casino Resort in Carterville: This southern Illinois gem boasts slots, table games, a swanky hotel, and even a spa. You can practically smell the relaxation (and maybe a hint of blackjack smoke) from here.
- Hard Rock Casino Rockford: Calling all rock and rollers! This Rockford casino is currently rocking a temporary location, but a permanent venue is under construction, promising a truly electrifying experience.
- American Place Casino in Waukegan: Get your lakefront casino fix here! Similar to Rockford, Waukegan has a temporary spot up and running, with a permanent location planned for the future.
- Golden Nugget Danville: Strike gold (or at least try your luck at it) at this Danville casino, which opened its doors in June 2023.
That leaves two more casinos still in the pipeline. These include:
Tip: Take notes for easier recall later.
- Bally's Chicago: The Windy City is getting in on the action with a massive casino complex planned for downtown Chicago. This one promises to be a real showstopper!
- Wind Creek Chicago Southland: The south suburbs of Chicago are also getting a piece of the casino pie, with a new venue under construction.
So, How Many Casinos Does That Make in Total?
Let's do some quick gambling math (don't worry, it's easier than counting cards). We have the four new casinos already open, plus the two under construction, for a grand total of... six new casinos! Shocking, right? We told you it was a boom.
Important Note: Illinois already had 10 existing riverboat casinos before this whole expansion thing. These aren't going anywhere, although some may be ditching the whole "boat" thing and moving onto land. So, if you add the new guys to the old guard, you're looking at a whopping 16 casinos in Illinois – that's a lot of places to try your luck!
FAQ: Navigating the Illinois Casino Landscape
Alright, alright, so you're chomping at the bit to hit the casino trail in Illinois. But before you pack your lucky socks, here are some quick answers to a few frequently asked questions:
Tip: Share one insight from this post with a friend.
How to Find a Casino Near Me in Illinois?
A simple web search for "Illinois casinos" should do the trick. You can also check out the Illinois Gaming Board's website for a complete list [Illinois Gaming Board website].
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How Old Do I Have to Be to Gamble in Illinois Casinos?
Tip: Focus on one point at a time.
You gotta be 21, baby. No age exceptions here.
How Much Money Should I Bring to a Casino?
That depends on how much fun you want to have (and how comfortable losing you are). But remember, gambling should always be for entertainment, so set a budget and stick to it!
QuickTip: Slow down if the pace feels too fast.
What Should I Wear to a Casino?
There's no strict dress code at most Illinois casinos, but business casual is always a safe bet. Just avoid anything too revealing or ripped.
How Do I Know When the New Casinos in Illinois Will Open?
The two remaining casinos under construction (Bally's Chicago and Wind Creek Chicago Southland) are expected to open sometime in 2023 or 2024. Keep an eye on news articles or the casinos' websites for specific dates.
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