It gave Chicago $40 million after winning the license bid and pledged to pay an extra $4 million annually.

Lightfoot stated that Bally’s had an irresistible offer. The gaming operator won the bid after defeating Rush Street Gaming (RSI) and Hard Rock International. Lori Lightfoot (D), then-mayor selected Bally’s Corporation as the city’s downtown casino’s developer in May 2022. They made the resolution believing that gaming would support Illinois’ infrastructure spending and boost its Chicago fire and police pension programs.

Governor JB Pritzker (D) and Illinois legislators passed new gaming legislation in 2019 that allowed downtown Chicago to host an integrated resort casino and the Windy City suburbs to host five extra small gaming properties. Hopkins is confident that Chicago shouldn’t have picked Bally’s as the developer of its integrated casino. Still, he is among the most vocal opposers of the gaming operator’s permanent casino project in downtown Chicago. Chicago City Alderman Brian Hopkins (D-Ward 2) recently stated that it is uncertain whether Bally’s Corporation will manage to build and open its $1.7 billion permanent integrated casino resort before Septemas the state requires it.

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