BOS 2025 CHICAGOLAND
The Chicagoland area has a deep history with casino gaming with the first Illinois casinos having opened in 1991. Illinois casinos are smoke free, although those in Indiana, some of which are closer to the city of Chicago than most of those in Illinois, still allow some puff and play. In 1990, Chicago opted out of the casino enabling act. Because of this, the casinos are located in smaller cities and suburbs that surround Chicago proper rather than being directly in the city itself. However, that has changed and the city saw its own Bally’s temporary casino open in 2023 with a more permanent casino resort now under construction and set to open in the fall of 2026.
For the Best of Slots, Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel in Rock Island rose to the top again for the sixth straight year as Best Overall Casino. Gamblers will find more than 39,000 square feet of gaming space with 900 slot machines. The property finished No. 1 as Best $5+ Slots, Best Slot Club, Best Comps, Friendliest Casino and Best Casino Cocktail Service.
Rivers Casino Des Plaines makes it two years in a row as the silver medal winner. The property features great gaming ambiance with 1,500 slots and has paid out more than $2.1 billion in the history of the casino. Other amenities include your favorite table games, a 22-table poker room, an expansive modern sportsbook and great dining and entertainment options. This property rolled to wins as Best Video Poker, Best 50-cent Slots, and earned praise in other categories as well.
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in the city of Gary once again grabbed a spot on the podium for top casinos in this region. The property offers and gives slot players a world-class gaming experience with over 80 table games, 1,700 slot machines, excellent dining options like Council Oak Steaks & Seafood and Hard Rock Cafe. This property snagged nice showings in several other categories.
Strictly Slots Best Of Slots Awards 2025
Chicagoland
Best Overall Gaming Resort
1. Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel
- Rivers Casino Des Plaines
3 Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana
Best Overall Casino
1. Bally’s Casino Chicago
- Rivers Casino Des Plaines
3 Hard Rock Casino Rockford
Best Reel Slots
1. Hard Rock Casino Rockford
- Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel
- Bally’s Casino Chicago
Best Video Slots
1. Hard Rock Casino Rockford
- American Place Casino
- Bally’s Casino Chicago
Best Progressive Slots
1. Hard Rock Casino Rockford
2. American Place Casino
- Rivers Casino Des Plaines
Best Video Poker
1. Rivers Casino Des Plaines
2 Bally’s Casino Chicago
- Horseshoe Casino Hammond
Casino Where You Feel Luckiest
1. American Place Casino
2 Bally’s Casino Chicago
3. Hard Rock Casino Rockford
Best Penny Slots
1. Hard Rock Casino Rockford
2. American Place Casino
- Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana
Best Nickel Slots
1. American Place Casino
- Rivers Casino Des Plaines
- Horseshoe Casino Hammond
Best Quarter Slots
1. Bally’s Casino Chicago
2. Rivers Casino Des Plaines
- American Place Casino
Best 50-cent Slots
1. Rivers Casino Des Plaines
2. Bally’s Casino Chicago
- Horseshoe Casino Hammond
Best Dollar Slots
1. WindCreek Chicago Southland
2. Bally’s Casino Chicago
- Horseshoe Casino Hammond
Best $5+ Slots
1. Bally’s Quad Cities Casino
- WindCreek Chicago Southland
- Hard Rock Casino Rockford
Best Variety of Slots
1. WindCreek Chicago Southland
- Rivers Casino Des Plaines
- Hard Rock Casino Rockford
Best High-end Slot Area
- WindCreek Chicago Southland
- Hard Rock Casino Rockford
- Rivers Casino Des Plaines
Best Slot Club
1. Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel, Bally Rewards
- Bally’s Casino Chicago, Bally Rewards
3. Horseshoe Casino Hammond, Caesars Rewards
Best Comps
1. Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel
- Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana
- WindCreek Chicago Southland
Best Slot Club Promotions
1. Hard Rock Casino Rockford
- American Place Casino
- Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel
Best Players Club Lounge
1. WindCreek Chicago Southland
2. Rivers Casino Des Plaines
- Harrah’s Joliet Casino Hotel
Best Hosts
- Bally’s Casino Chicago
- Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana
- Rivers Casino De Plaines
Best Customer Service
- Hard Rock Casino Rockford
- American Place Casino
- Bally’s Casino Chicago
Best VIP Service
- WindCreek Chicago Southland
- Grand Victoria Casino Elgin
- Rivers Casino Des Plaines
Friendliest Casino
1 Bally’s Quad Cities Casino and Hotel
2 Grand Victoria Casino Elgin
3 Hollywood Casino Joliet
Best Casino Cocktail Service
1 Bally’s Quad Cities Casino and Hotel
2 American Place Casino
3 Hard Rock Casino Rockford
