By denying gambling licenses, the mayor is turning away millions in revenue
Mayor Brandon Johnson is attempting to torpedo the city's first gambling licenses approved by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) even after the City Council also approved them.
Johnson is lobbying the City Council to reverse its decision to allow the six licenses that have been approved for locations in Mount Greenwood, Beverly, Lakeview, and the Loop.
While the City Council has approved the idea, the licenses have not yet been issued.
But Johnson wants the ban on gambling in the city to remain intact and is working to head off the licenses. However, according to WTTW, it does not appear the mayor has the allies to succeed.
After all, the gambling plan was included in the city's 2026 budget over the mayor's objections and many aldermen are looking at gambling as a new source of tax revenue. And it's a hefty haul, too. The city expects $6.8 million in revenue.
Johnson is hardly acting on altruism, naturally. He is a close ally to Bally's which is investing $1.7 billion in a major River West casino project. And Johnson contends that allowing local video gambling to exist alongside the casino will hurt Bally's bottom line.
That is why Johnson is pushing the City Council to ban video gaming in local bars and restaurants. It isn't because of "gambling addictions" or the mental health of his constituents. It's all about safeguarding the interests of his allies.
It’s all about him, not the city.
Bally's has already come under a cloud after state regulators suspected the company of using a waste hauler with alleged mob ties. The resulting questions forced the company to shut down construction, the Chicago Sun-Times noted.
The IGB issued the stop work order "in connection with a pending IGB investigation into the use of undisclosed and unapproved vendors at the construction site," the board said in a statement in May.
The IGB contended Bally's had not gained approval for the hire and the allegation "raises several serious concerns as the IGB does not know who is associated with D&P and if any of those associations could potentially violate the Act or rules."
Neither the City Council nor the mayor are the good guys here. Both are preying on people who will all too easily succumb to a gambling addiction. These politicos will probably tell you they are trying to fleece tourists -- as if tourists can’t be gambling addicts. But these casinos always act as a temptation to local residents who live near the gambling outlets full time and aren’t just in Chicago to visit.
According to financial services firm Wallet Hub, Illinois ranks as the 17th most gambling addicted state already. The Prairie State also ranks 36 out of 50 for proper treatment availability. So, Illinois is already doing poorly over gambling and its legality is still relatively fresh.
Gambling at bars, or gambling at a massive casino downtown, none of it is good for Illinois. But politicians are rubbing their hands greedily over the possible tax revenue it will generate.
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