Chicago Aldermen Push for Faster Video Gambling Terminal Approvals

City seeks to jumpstart operations and revenue amid state's slow approval process.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 9:50pm

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Aldermen in Chicago have advanced a plan to allow businesses to more quickly secure conditional permit approval from city regulators for video gambling terminals, marking a critical step toward the machines' arrival across the city's neighborhoods. The move aims to speed up the process as the state's approval system has been slow, enabling the city to start earning fees and tax revenue sooner.

Why it matters

The decision to legalize video gambling terminals in Chicago's 2026 budget was controversial, with Mayor Brandon Johnson opposing the move. This latest effort by aldermen to expedite the local approval process underscores the ongoing tension and high-stakes debate over the terminals, which some argue will lead to increased crime and revenue losses for the city's casino, while others see them as a new revenue opportunity for local businesses.

The details

Under the proposed ordinance, businesses would be able to secure conditional permit approval from the city before receiving final state approval to operate the terminals. This would allow the city to collect the $500 local application fee, part of the $6.8 million in revenue aldermen counted on when legalizing the terminals. While applicants would still need state approval to begin operations, the city hopes this will jumpstart the process amid the state's backlog. The ordinance is set for a final council vote on Wednesday.

  • The city legalized video gambling terminals in its 2026 budget, against Mayor Brandon Johnson's wishes.
  • Aldermen advanced the plan to expedite local approvals on Monday in the City Council's License and Consumer Protection Committee.
  • The full City Council is set to take a final vote on the ordinance on Wednesday.

The players

Ald. Bennett Lawson

44th Ward alderman who told colleagues the city needs to start earning revenue from the terminals as soon as possible.

Mayor Brandon Johnson

An opponent of the video gambling terminals who did not alert the state of the city's legalization decision for months, a move critics blasted as a stall tactic.

Elizabeth Suever

Vice president of government relations for Bally's, the operator of Chicago's lone casino, who argued the terminals would lead to crime, job losses, and revenue losses for the city.

Pat Doerr

Director of the Hospitality Business Association of Chicago, who defended the terminals and said the conditional approval would open up new revenue opportunities for city bars and restaurants.

Ivan Capifali

Commissioner of the city's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, who expressed concerns about the 'operational burdens' legalization will put on his department.

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What they’re saying

“We know the state is going to take a decent amount of time, but at least we can have the approvals here.”

— Ald. Bennett Lawson, 44th Ward Alderman

“It will create substantial job losses at the casino, and despite many false claims in this body to the contrary, will cause significant revenue loss for the city.”

— Elizabeth Suever, Vice President of Government Relations, Bally's

“We will see more applications, more application fees, more revenue for the city. It will open up a new opportunity for hundreds of city bars and restaurants that we have lost over the years to suburban competition with these legal, taxed, state-licensed machines.”

— Pat Doerr, Director, Hospitality Business Association of Chicago

“[The department] was not engaged during the creation of this ordinance, despite being directly responsible for its implementation. This has required this department to build a new regulatory framework without the benefit of advanced planning.”

— Ivan Capifali, Commissioner, Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection

What’s next

The full Chicago City Council is set to take a final vote on the ordinance to expedite local approvals for video gambling terminals on Wednesday.

The takeaway

The ongoing battle over video gambling terminals in Chicago highlights the complex tensions between the city's desire for new revenue sources, concerns over potential social costs, and the challenges of implementing a new regulatory framework. This latest move by aldermen to fast-track local approvals reflects their urgency to start generating fees and taxes, even as opponents continue to fight the terminals' expansion.