Updated
Updated · Gambling 911 · Aug 9
Bally's Halts Chicago Hotel Build, Idling 1,500 Workers as VGT Dispute Freezes $1.7 Billion Project
Updated
Updated · Gambling 911 · Aug 9

Bally's Halts Chicago Hotel Build, Idling 1,500 Workers as VGT Dispute Freezes $1.7 Billion Project

3 articles · Updated · Gambling 911 · Aug 9

Summary

  • Bally's issued a reset notice Saturday that pauses construction of the Chicago casino project's hotel, event center and planned restaurants, putting 1,500 union workers on hiatus.
  • The stoppage stems from Bally's dispute with the city over video gambling terminals, which the company says has left the broader entertainment complex in temporary limbo.
  • Chicago Community Builders Collective, the general contracting partnership overseeing the site, received the notice as much of the non-gaming construction ground to a halt.
  • The casino itself is still targeted to open in early 2027, but the rest of the $1.7 billion River West development remains on hold pending a resolution with City Hall.

Insights

If Bally's voids its 2022 agreement, who ultimately pays the price for Chicago's multi-million dollar gambling dispute?
Could slot machines at O'Hare airport be the secret compromise that saves 1,500 suspended union jobs?