Bally’s Corp. is focusing on opening a temporary casino on Wabash Avenue in downtown Chicago later this year, as a prelude to the company’s planned $1.7 billion resort complex at the former Chicago Tribune plant along the Chicago River. The permanent casino is set to open in 2026. Despite its focus on Chicago, Bally’s President George Papanier said that having a location in Las Vegas was “a necessity” for the Rhode Island-based casino company, which operates 15 casinos in 10 states. However, the company will take its time deciding how to redevelop the Tropicana Las Vegas, with Papanier saying they are looking for the right project with the appropriate return for that market. There have been discussions with the Oakland A’s on how a Major League Baseball stadium could be incorporated into the Tropicana site, but Papanier emphasized that anything they do will be something that has the appropriate return on investment. Bally’s regional market customers are interested in visiting Las Vegas, and the company has promotional opportunities involving Bally’s Lake Tahoe, Bally’s Atlantic City, and its Hard Rock Biloxi, all of which are considered gaming destination markets.