Bally’s Corporation completed a $4 million payment to the city of Chicago as part of its Host Community Agreement. Even though it continues to oppose the city’s plans to bring video gaming terminals (VGTs) outside its $1.7 billion River West casino.
The casino operator made two payments worth $2 million each on September 9. With that operator is making it’s annual community impact payment, which was mandated between it and the city by their 2022 agreement.
Earlier, Bally’s had indicated that, it would seek to hold back the payments due to the ongoing status of its dispute.
The payments come as Bally’s Corporation continues to be embroiled in a disagreement with city authorities about the city allowing VGTs to be located at bars, restaurants, and convenience stores.
For fiscal year 2026, the budget estimates that $6.8 million would be earned through these machines.
The hearing revealed that Bally’s has been in talks with Rick Heidner of Gold Rush Gaming over a possible acquisition or partnership agreement about VGTs. However, no deal was concluded in this regard.