Brandon Johnson emerged victorious in the run-off election and is set to become the new mayor of Chicago. Those in favor of legalizing video gambling terminals within the city limits may see this as a significant win.
Nevertheless, this position may conflict with the agreement made between the city and Bally’s under former mayor Lori Lightfoot, where Bally’s plans to construct a large new casino in the River West neighborhood of Illinois.
Chicago has a loosely enforced ordinance prohibiting VGTs in bars and restaurants within the city limits. Despite this, establishment owners have opted to install ‘sweepstakes machines’ that operate similarly to video gambling machines in their venues.
An advantage for a major casino company entering the Chicago market is that it would have exclusive control over gambling services in the city.
Where does Johnson stand on gambling?
Gambling was not a commonly talked about topic until the competition between Johnson, a 46-year-old ex-Cook County Commissioner, and Paul Vallas, who was endorsed by the police union, in the two-man run-off.
However, the topic was discussed during a debate in March.
According to a report in the Chicago Sun-Times, Vallas expressed his backing for video poker and declared that he would allocate funds from casinos and video poker to support investments in the South and West Sides.
The Johnson campaign did not directly discuss the topic during the debate, but they released a statement afterwards stating that their candidate supports legalized video gambling as a key revenue source for important investments in public safety, transportation, housing, and other public amenities.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who is leaving office, strongly advocated for the Bally’s Chicago project, emphasizing the potential job opportunities for locals and the positive impact the casino could have on the city’s struggling pension program.
A look at the numbers
According to a report from the Illinois Governance Forecasting and Accountability office, allowing video gaming in Chicago would significantly boost revenue.
In February, the Illinois Gaming Board reported that there were over 45,100 VGTs located in 8,200 venues throughout the state. It is uncertain whether this figure includes sweepstakes machines.
Johnson had secured 51.4% of the votes by Thursday morning, with 92% of precincts reporting in. Vallas had already conceded.
Lightfoot finished in third place with a disappointing result among nine candidates in the first round of the election in February.
Johnson, a former teacher and union organizer, positioned himself as a modern progressive. During his victory speech, he addressed the key campaign issues and pledged to make Chicago a safer city.
Johnson, as reported by CNN.com, emphasized the importance of investing in effective crime prevention methods such as youth employment, mental health centers, and providing law enforcement with the necessary resources to solve and prevent crimes in order to create a safer city for all.
The latest on Bally’s
Bally’s Chicago is being celebrated as its flagship location in America, with plans to unveil a $1.7 billion casino and resort by 2026. The property will boast 3,400 slot machines, 173 table games, and a 3,000-seat entertainment venue.
Bally’s temporary casino located at Medinah Temple in River North is scheduled to open in the summer.
According to the Sun-Times, a Bally’s spokesperson declined to comment on Johnson’s election.
Assuming no unexpected developments, Johnson is set to complete a four-year term until 2027. If Bally’s Chicago progresses as planned, he will be the mayor at the time of the facility’s opening.
