Bally’s warned Thursday that lifting the Chicago ban on video gambling would cost the cash-strapped city $74 million in annual revenue and as many as 1,050 jobs at its temporary and permanent casinos.
Undaunted by the casino giant’s caution, 9th Ward Ald. Anthony Beale vowed to add 700 bars and taverns to the ordinance he muscled through the City Council’s License Committee last month over Mayor Brandon Johnson’s strenuous objections.
The License Committee did not vote on the proposed expansion during Thursday’s meeting.
Instead, Beale vowed to amend his ordinance on the Council floor after persuading legislative leaders to give Chicago a greater share of video gambling revenues.
