Ballys Slows $1.7 Billion Chicago Project as VGT Dispute Deepens

Ballys has slowed construction on major non-gaming parts of its $1.7 billion Chicago casino resort as its dispute with the city over video gambling terminals deepens. Casino construction will continue, with an early 2027 opening still planned.

Good to Know

• Work has slowed on the 500-room hotel, restaurants, events center and other amenities.
• Around 1,500 union construction workers are now on hiatus.
• Ballys argues that Chicago VGT expansion conflicts with its 2022 Host Community Agreement.

Ballys Chicago Cuts Construction Pace Over VGT Dispute

Ballys told the Chicago Community Builders Collective that it was “resetting the pace of construction of elements of Bally’s Chicago permanent casino.”

The decision leaves the gaming portion of the River West development progressing while much of the wider resort work slows. The 34-story hotel structure has already reached full height, but Ballys can delay interior work and the planned hotel opening while talks continue.

At the center of the disagreement sits Chicago approval of video gambling terminals. Ballys argues that allowing VGTs across bars and other licensed locations would create new competition that conflicts with commitments made when Chicago selected the company for its first casino.

“The move creates uncertainty that could be harmful for Bally’s Chicago prospects,” the company said.

Chicago included about $6.8 million in expected VGT revenue in its 2026 budget. Illinois already has a large distributed gaming market, with roughly 50,000 terminals operating across thousands of locations outside Chicago.

Ballys has also warned that it could withhold the $4 million annual payment connected to its Chicago agreement if the dispute continues. The company raised that possibility earlier in 2026, months before reducing construction activity.

The slowdown now gives the disagreement a direct effect on the $1.7 billion development and its workforce.

“We do not take this lightly because of the potential impact on many of the 1,500 union tradespeople who have been working hard to build Bally’s Chicago,” Bally’s said. “We will continue to assess our options, which we hope will include more productive discussions with the Mayor’s Office and City Council.”

Ballys has retained RKF Global as the dispute continues. Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, whose administration selected Ballys for the casino project in 2022, works at the firm.

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