Bally’s Chicago pauses construction on hotel, other amenities over video gambling dispute with city
Bally’s Chicago is halting construction on non-gaming amenities due to a dispute over video gambling terminals.Summary
Bally’s Chicago has paused construction on nearly all non-gaming amenities at its $1.7 billion River West casino complex, including a hotel and events center. This decision, which affects 1,500 union workers, stems from a dispute regarding the proliferation of video gambling terminals (VGTs) in the city. Bally’s argues that the legalization of VGTs violates their 2022 host agreement with the city.
The conflict arises as VGTs generate significant tax revenue, competing with established casinos. While the casino itself is slated to open in early 2027, the broader entertainment complex remains in limbo. Bally’s is reportedly considering withholding a $4 million payment to the city until the dispute is resolved. The company has engaged the law firm RKF Global to navigate the legal complexities of this standoff.
(Source：Google News)