Chicago City Council Moves to Speed Up Video Gambling Approvals

Proposal would let businesses apply and pay for city licenses while waiting for state approval.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:22pm

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The Chicago City Council's Business Affairs Committee has given preliminary approval to a measure that would allow bars and restaurants in the city to apply and pay for video gambling licenses while they wait for state regulators to approve their permit requests. The proposal is aimed at speeding up the process for businesses to install video gambling terminals, which have been legalized in the city.

Why it matters

This proposal is the latest move by the Council's Budget Accountability Coalition to spur the Johnson Administration to start collecting revenue from video gambling licenses. Some aldermen have accused the mayor of slow-walking proposals to legalize and regulate video gambling, which they see as a much-needed source of city revenue.

The details

The proposal would let business owners apply and pay for city licenses for video gambling terminals before the state has approved their permit requests. This is similar to the city's existing process for liquor licenses. Alderman Scott Waguespack, the sponsor of the measure, says it will help 'mom-and-pop' restaurants and taverns get their video gambling terminals installed faster. However, some aldermen expressed concerns about the increased workload on city staff and the potential impact on a $4 million payment the city expects from the Bally's casino.

  • The City Council's Business Affairs Committee gave preliminary approval to the measure on April 14, 2026.
  • The full City Council will now consider the proposal.

The players

Scott Waguespack

Alderman representing the 32nd Ward, who sponsored the measure to speed up video gambling approvals.

Ivan Capifali

Chicago's business affairs chief, who expressed concerns about the increased workload on his staff from the proposal.

Elizabeth Suever

Chief lobbyist for Bally's Chicago, who repeated the casino operator's opposition to legalizing video gambling terminals.

Bill Conway

Alderman representing the 34th Ward, who expressed concern about the fate of an expected $4 million payment from Bally's.

Brendan Reilly

Alderman representing the 42nd Ward, who also expressed concern about the Bally's payment.

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What they’re saying

“It is not a novel idea to have a conditional license in this city. It's been going on for decades. This would again simply allow for a conditional license ... if someone fails, then they fail and the city retains the licensing fee.”

— Scott Waguespack, Alderman, 32nd Ward

“The recently passed VGT (video gambling terminal) ordinance did not fully account for the operational burdens that it imposed.”

— Ivan Capifali, Chicago's business affairs chief

“Granting these VGT licenses will result in a total revenue reduction for the city.”

— Elizabeth Suever, Chief lobbyist, Bally's Chicago

What’s next

The full Chicago City Council will now consider the proposal to speed up video gambling approvals.

The takeaway

This proposal highlights the ongoing tensions between the City Council's efforts to quickly legalize and regulate video gambling as a new revenue source, and concerns from city officials and the casino industry about the operational and financial impacts. The debate over the future of video gambling in Chicago continues.