Bally's Corporation announced on August 9, 2026 that it will reduce the pace of construction on portions of its permanent casino project in Chicago's River West neighborhood. The decision comes as the company faces a disagreement with the City of Chicago regarding a possible expansion of video gambling terminals. Bally's notified the Chicago Community Builders Collective of the slowdown while discussions continue.
The construction slowdown affects selected areas of the casino development, though the overall project remains underway. By scaling back work, Bally's aims to give city officials and the community group time to examine the proposed increase in video gambling terminal capacity. The company said the pause will remain in effect until the city and the collective reach a resolution on the issue.
The City of Chicago has been reviewing proposals to expand the number of video gambling terminals that could be installed at the new casino. The Chicago Community Builders Collective, a local community organization, is involved in the dialogue to ensure that any expansion aligns with neighborhood interests and broader community goals. Both parties are engaged in discussions to address concerns and determine appropriate next steps.
Bally's indicated that the temporary reduction in construction activity is intended to avoid further complications while the regulatory and community review proceeds. The company reaffirmed its commitment to completing the permanent casino in River West, emphasizing that the project will move forward once the dispute over video gambling terminal expansion is resolved. The slowdown is expected to affect the construction timeline but not the ultimate delivery of the casino facility.