Chicago Mayor Now Open to Video Gambling Terminals

Mayor Brandon Johnson now says he’s willing to consider video gambling terminals (VGTs) in Chicago—a reversal that comes after state lawmakers pressed the city over missed revenue.

Good to know

• VGTs could bring in up to $70 million for Chicago.
• The state has collected $6.7 billion from VGTs since 2012.
• Chicago bars have struggled, with 30% reportedly closing since VGT rollout.

“I’m open. I’ll just say it like that,” the mayor said, pointing to the need for new funding streams to support safety and affordability goals.

Rep. Michael Kelly’s House Bill 2990 would force Chicago to opt out of VGTs instead of opting in. He argues the city is losing out while still benefiting indirectly from VGTs elsewhere in Illinois.

Lawmakers say the state’s network of machines supports local economies, and that Chicago has been receiving revenue from cities like Rockford and Peoria for over a decade.

Meanwhile, state legislators are also trying to legalize online casinos. Bills from Sen. Christina Castro and Rep. Edgar Gonzalez propose the Internet Gaming Act, pushing for multi-brand operations taxed at 25%.

With a $3.2 billion budget shortfall looming in 2026, the state sees iGaming as part of the solution.

Illinois approved a $55.2 billion budget in May, adding a new per-bet fee on online sports wagers—$0.25 for the first 20 million bets, $0.50 after that. Operators say it could squeeze margins and slow growth.

The post Chicago Mayor Now Open to Video Gambling Terminals appeared first on iGaming.org.