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Bally’s pauses most Chicago casino and hotel work in video gambling dispute
The operator said its permanent casino opening remains slated for early 2027, as the dispute centers on whether Chicago will allow video gambling terminals beyond its 2022 agreement.
Bally’s Chicago has paused construction on most of its permanent casino and hotel complex along the Chicago River after a dispute with the city over video gambling terminal legislation, Bisnow reports. The halt applies to the hotel, events center, and several planned restaurants, according to the report. Bally’s issued a reset notice to the Chicago Community Builders Collective, a general contracting partnership working on the project. The company said the pace reset stops work on elements of the permanent casino as it disputes whether Chicago’s approach breaches a 2022 commitment not to expand gaming. The disagreement is tied to the legalization of video gambling terminals as part of this year’s city budget. Bally’s argued that approval could lead to an “uncontrolled proliferation” of terminals, creating uncertainty it said could be harmful to Bally’s Chicago prospects, and it pointed to the broader Illinois VGT footprint. Bisnow also notes that Gaming and Leisure Properties, a REIT, has been involved in construction funding, with the report citing that the VGT concept was included in underwriting. Bally’s said it expects the permanent casino opening to remain on track for early 2027 despite the construction hiccup.