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Bally’s Pauses Non‑Gaming Work at River West Casino as Chicago Aldermen Demand Full Build‑Out

The council majority says the pause threatens jobs and violates Bally’s host agreement and could prompt hearings or legal action.

Overview

  • Bally’s told its contractor it was “resetting the pace of some construction,” leaving the casino floor on track for early 2027 while pausing the hotel, event center and some restaurants.
  • The City Council majority, which sent a demand letter Wednesday, asked Bally’s to resume full construction and called for a public hearing to press the company to meet its contract obligations.
  • The dispute centers on the city’s recent authorization of video gambling terminals, which Bally’s says breaches its 2022 Host Community Agreement by expanding gaming outside the casino.
  • Aldermen warned the slowdown could jeopardize union jobs and promised city enforcement or possible litigation if Bally’s does not complete the full project.
  • Newly disclosed Bally’s financial results showing a quarterly loss, negative operating cash flow and roughly $4.5 billion in debt have intensified suspicion that cash‑flow strain, not only the VGT fight, may be driving the pause and could affect the project’s financing.