Tensions over video gaming terminals (VGTs) have exposed sharp divisions within Chicago’s City Council. What started as a budget-driven effort to lift the city’s long-standing ban on such machines has quickly morphed into a broader political fight. Supporters say VGTs are a way to create new revenue for a city under constant fiscal pressure. Critics, including Mayor Brandon Johnson, caution that the move could be a double-edged sword.
The Potential Benefits Remain Hotly Contested
The debate has heated up in recent days with the mayor pushing for a citywide repeal of the ordinance that allowed the machines in the first place. Instead of going through the usual licensing channels, the measure has been sent to another committee, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from some alderpersons who view it as an effort to circumvent opposition.
The primary concern is how much money video gaming will really generate. The city’s current budget depends on millions of dollars in new revenue from licensing terminals in bars, restaurants and other establishments. That estimate relies on broad participation and a fairly smooth rollout.
However, Johnson and his allies are skeptical. They say the projections don’t include potential costs, such as increased law enforcement and the possibility that video gaming could take customers away from the city’s casino operations. A consultant hired by the mayor’s office found that, accounting for these factors, the machines could actually cost the city money.
Bally’s Remains Firmly Against Video Gaming Expansion
Chicago’s deal with Bally’s, the company building the city’s first permanent casino, adds another twist. That agreement is expected to generate a steady revenue stream for the casino while supporting jobs and long-term economic development. However, Bally’s has cautioned that the proliferation of video gaming could jeopardize those projections and require it to renegotiate key elements of its agreement with the city.
Some local leaders, especially those worried about the stability of the casino project, share this concern. Others, however, see video gaming as a way to distribute economic benefits more evenly across neighborhoods. According to the mayor’s opponents, reversing the video gaming decision would require a major shift in support, which seems unlikely in the current political climate.
Meanwhile, some wars have taken matters into their own hands, moving to block video gaming locally. This could create a patchwork of policies across the city while the broader debate continues. Business owners, regulators, and casino operators all have a stake in this matter, as the outcome could change Chicago gambling for years to come.