Bally's Corp. retained the law firm of former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to represent it in a dispute with the city. The casino operator claims Chicago violated exclusivity terms by permitting video gambling terminals (VGTs) across the city.
Lightfoot previously negotiated the original casino agreement while serving as mayor. Bally's is currently constructing a $1.7 billion casino and resort under that host agreement.
The company argues the city's approval of VGTs fundamentally alters the competitive landscape. Bally's stated its $1.7 billion commitment would have been structured differently without the expectation of gaming exclusivity.
This legal challenge threatens the city's projected tax revenue. The outcome will also impact the profitability of a project central to Bally's growth strategy.