Legalizing video gambling terminals is a bad bet for Chicago - Chicago Sun-Times
Legalizing video gambling terminals in Chicago jeopardizes city contracts, revenue, public safety, and economic development, warn community leaders.Summary
Community leaders John Bosca and Julie Darling argue that the Chicago City Council's decision to legalize video gambling terminals (VGTs) in the 2026 budget is a costly mistake. The move violated a historic contract with Bally's, the selected casino operator, which committed to a massive River West investment and thousands of union jobs in exchange for a guarantee against VGT legalization. Breaking this deal damages Chicago's reputation among corporations and investors considering doing business in the city. The authors cite data showing Illinois casinos have seen nearly 40% reductions in gaming revenue directly attributed to VGTs, potentially costing nearly $100 million in tax revenue for police and firefighter pension funds. The City Council also failed to create a public safety plan to address the expected rise in crime around VGT establishments, as evidenced by a string of VGT-related burglaries in suburban Oak Lawn. The authors urge alderpersons to reverse the decision before the machines are installed throughout the city.
(Source：Chicago Sun-Times)