Bally’s Paints Grave Picture of Chicago Casino, Should VGTs Be Allowed

Posted on: October 10, 2025, 07:30h. 

Last updated on: October 10, 2025, 09:07h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • Chicago city officials continue to consider slot-like video gaming terminals
  • Bally’s, which is building a $2 billion casino resort in Chicago, opposes VGTs

Bally’s Corp. is warning Chicago lawmakers about the financial and economic risks of voting to authorize slot-like video gaming terminals (VGTs) in certain businesses.

Bally's Chicago casino VGT video gaming terminals
The temporary Bally’s Chicago at the Medinah Temple. Bally’s Corp. is warning Chicago City Council officials that allowing slot-like video gaming terminals in restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, hotels, and theaters would have devastating tax revenue consequences. (Image: Shutterstock)

On Thursday, the Chicago City Council Committee on License and Consumer Protection continued its consideration of allowing VGTs. Last month, the committee voted 8-6 in favor of Alderman Anthony Beale’s (9th Ward) initial statute to allow the gaming machines at more than 3,500 Chicago restaurants, hotels, theaters, and bowling alleys that hold valid liquor licenses.

Beale later amended the bill to include bars and taverns, and presented the ordinance to the licensing committee. In anticipation of Thursday’s review, Bally’s sent its lobbying team to testify about the business impact assumptions VGTs would deliver on the company’s forthcoming $2 billion casino resort in River West.

Bally’s reps told the committee that VGTs on every corner of the city would greatly hurt its temporary gaming facility, currently operating inside the Medinah Temple, and its permanent resort.

Revenue Loss Projections 

Elizabeth Suever, vice president of government relations at Bally’s, told the Chicago City Council committee that VGTs would lead to an annual state tax loss of $260 million. Chicago’s share of that would be around $70 million per year.

Suever’s estimates are rich, as her numbers imply that Bally’s Chicago would lose hundreds of millions of dollars in annual gross gaming revenue due to VGTs. In addition to the projected city tax reduction, Suever predicted that VGTs would also cost around 1,000 Bally’s jobs.

Suever highlighted that authorizing VGTs might also violate the city’s Host Community Agreement, which requires Bally’s to pay the city $4 million a year for the exclusive rights to slot machines.

City government studies have offered various projections on the city’s yearly tax benefit from VGTs, ranging from $7 million to $22 million. That’s barely a drop in the bucket for a city facing a $1.15 billion 2026 budget shortfall.

Illinois taxes VGTs at 35%, but just 5% stays with the host municipality. The city would also benefit from location and per-VGT annual permitting fees.

Conversely, Bally’s Chicago’s monthly gross gaming revenue is currently taxed at about 30.5% on the state level, but more than 12% is returned to Chicago’s coffers. 

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson opposes VGTs in Chicago.

Casino Construction Climbs 

The VGT debate continues, as the Bally’s Chicago permanent casino continues to go vertical. Union laborers are making notable progress on the 34-story, 500-room hotel that’s being built on the former site of the Chicago Tribune Publisher Center, or Freedom Center.

Along with the hotel, Bally’s Chicago will feature 3,500 slots and table game positions, an array of dining experiences highlighted by a rooftop restaurant and bar, a rooftop pool, spa, and fitness center, and a 3,000-seat theater. Public amenities include a two-acre park and a 2,000-foot riverwalk.

Bally’s Chicago hopes to open in September 2026, though a nasty Chicago winter could derail the timeline.