The payment was made on September 9, 2026, although Bally’s had previously suggested that it might withhold the fee, arguing that Chicago’s decision towards VGTs breaks the terms of its Host Community Agreement. Under the deal, the annual fee is split into a $2 million direct impact payment and a $2 million indirect impact payment, due every year on September 9, which is the anniversary of Bally’s Chicago opening its temporary casino at Medinah Temple in 2023. Additionally, the company had made a one-time $40 million payment when the agreement was first signed back in June 2022.
The Executive Chairman of Bally’s, Soo Kim, gave a project update on September 14, addressing the dispute and construction progress.
Soo Kim commented:
“There have been inaccurate reports suggesting that construction has stopped or paused. It has not. Construction continues every day, and there are approximately 1,000 skilled tradespeople working on the construction of the permanent Bally’s Chicago resort. This reset is not a pause or a stoppage. We are aligning the sequencing of our investments and development with requirements and timelines established under the HCA. We’re committed to opening in early 2027.”
Bally’s management has also confirmed that 136 staff members lost their jobs because of construction changes, and the property made the decision to open only 100 rooms as opposed to the originally planned 500 rooms.
