Bally’s has retained former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s law firm as it prepares for a potential legal challenge against the City of Chicago over its decision to allow video gambling terminals, adding another chapter to an increasingly contentious dispute surrounding the city’s first casino.
The casino operator confirmed that RKF Global PLLC, where Lightfoot is a partner, has joined its legal team as the company considers legal action over changes it believes breach the host agreement governing Bally’s Chicago casino project. The move has drawn criticism from ethics advocates and some city officials because Lightfoot negotiated the original agreement while serving as mayor.
Bally’s announced the appointment in a statement, saying: “We are pleased to have built an excellent and knowledgeable team here in Chicago. As we ramp up efforts to protect our investment in the city, we have also brought on the strategic counsel of RKF Global PLLC, where former Mayor Lightfoot is a partner.”
Lightfoot declined to comment through a spokesperson, referring inquiries to Bally’s. RKF Global also did not publicly comment on the engagement.
Video gambling expansion fuels dispute
The disagreement stems from Chicago’s decision to legalize video gambling terminals (VGTs) as part of the city’s 2026 budget.
The budget package, approved by a majority of the City Council, anticipates generating approximately $6.8 million through licensing the machines across Chicago. Bally’s has consistently opposed the measure, arguing that expanded access to video gambling will reduce casino revenue and undermine the financial assumptions underpinning its investment.
In correspondence sent to City Council earlier this month, Bally’s warned that unless the city reversed course, it would pursue legal remedies.
The company has argued that allowing VGTs would conflict with the casino host agreement and could eliminate an annual $4 million payment it is required to make to the city. Bally’s has also stated that the move could reduce annual city revenue by approximately $74 million and jeopardize as many as 1,050 jobs connected to its temporary and future permanent casino operations.
Mayor Brandon Johnson has also expressed concerns about introducing video gambling terminals, maintaining that the policy could violate the existing agreement with Bally’s and expose Chicago to litigation.
The casino currently operates a temporary gaming venue at Medinah Temple while construction continues on its permanent $1.7 billion entertainment complex in River West. The development will include a casino, hotel, restaurants, theatre and thousands of gaming positions once completed.
Ethics questions emerge over Lightfoot’s role
Lightfoot’s involvement has prompted criticism because she played a central role in selecting Bally’s to develop Chicago’s first casino during her administration.
David Greising, president and chief executive of the Better Government Association, questioned whether the arrangement creates an appearance of conflict.
“She is being hired to represent a client challenging their allegations about an agreement that she negotiated when she was mayor. It just feels like she’s playing on both sides here,” Greising said.
He also argued that the city’s ethics rules appear relevant because they prohibit former officials from assisting or representing clients regarding contracts over which they exercised substantial managerial responsibility.
Steven Berlin, executive director of the Chicago Board of Ethics, declined to comment specifically on Bally’s decision but noted that, in general, the city’s ethics ordinance prevents a former mayor from representing a client in matters in which they were personally and substantially involved for one year after leaving office.
Some City Council members voiced even stronger objections.
Alderman Anthony Beale, a supporter of legalizing video gambling terminals, criticized Bally’s decision to hire Lightfoot.
“That is a quid pro quo to try to reward somebody who gave them a contract that they never should have gotten in the first place,” Beale said, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.
Casino project remains politically divisive
The Bally’s casino has generated debate since Lightfoot selected the Rhode Island-based company in 2022 over four competing proposals.
The project secured City Council approval after Bally’s agreed to provide an upfront $40 million payment to help support police and fire pension funds.
At the time, several aldermen questioned the selection process, arguing Bally’s lacked experience building casinos from the ground up and expressing concerns about traffic congestion around both the permanent River West development and the temporary Medinah Temple casino.
More recently, Lightfoot attended the topping-off ceremony for the permanent casino and described the project as one of the defining accomplishments of her administration.