A Chicago alderman moved on Wednesday to advance licensing for video gambling terminals after the city council lifted a long-standing ban, escalating a dispute with Mayor Brandon Johnson, who has so far declined to initiate the approval process.
Chicago’s $16.6 billion budget, approved by the City Council last December, formally removed the citywide prohibition on video gambling terminals. But Johnson has not notified the Illinois Gaming Board to begin accepting licence applications, fuelling concerns among some aldermen that the administration may seek to reverse the decision.
Anthony Beale, who represents the city’s 9th Ward, said he would send a letter to the gaming board asserting that the ban has been lifted and urging regulators to open the licensing process. The letter is co-signed by at least 15 other council members and includes a certified copy of the revenue ordinance authorizing video gambling.
The ordinance projects $6.8 million in revenue in 2026, based on the assumption that roughly 80% of the city’s 3,300 eligible liquor-licensed establishments would apply for licences and that approvals would take six to eight months.
After consulting attorneys, Beale said the gaming board’s notification requirement does not need to come directly from the mayor and can be issued by other city authorities as long as it is accompanied by the certified ordinance.
“The mayor refuses to move forward with giving bars and restaurants lifelines,” Beale said, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times. “Every day he stalls is a day that we lose out on revenue. He can work to repeal it, but we’re moving forward. We’re asking the gaming board to start accepting applications as soon as they get this letter.”
Johnson declined to say whether he is counting votes to repeal the video gambling provision when asked during a City Hall news conference, saying only that discussions were ongoing.
“I know that there are several alders who have expressed concern, and it’s important that I listen to those concerns,” Johnson said, adding that no final decision had been made. “I have expressed my concerns. A decision hasn’t been made just yet [on whether to repeal]. However, it’s imperative that we get this right — especially because there are so many other levels of government that are working to address how gambling generates revenue for municipalities as well as state government.”
Support for repeal has emerged among some council members. Walter Burnett said he favours undoing the measure, citing public safety concerns, gambling addiction and the risk of eroding casino revenues. Burnett said a repeal vote could come as early as February 18 or at the March City Council meeting.
Johnson’s office has acknowledged repeal as one option under consideration. Senior adviser Jason Lee said officials were discussing ways to address concerns over zoning, equity and finances, with repeal among the possible remedies.
Video gambling has drawn opposition from Bally’s, which is building a $1.7 billion casino in Chicago. Bally’s has warned that allowing terminals citywide could cost Chicago $74 million a year and as many as 1,050 jobs, while forcing renegotiation of its host agreement and weakening funding tied to police and fire pension obligations.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/02/12/117586-chicago-alderman-moves-to-advance-video-gambling-licensing-amid-mayoral-standoff
