Link to Mob, Crime Puts Bally’s Chicago Casino On Pause yet Again

Bally’s has been dealt yet another setback as it attempts to get a casino up-and-running in Chicago, Illinois.

The Illinois Gaming Control Board (IGB) issued a stop work order on Thursday after it was revealed that Bally’s subcontracted an unauthorized waste hauler to clear the casino site. The decision was supported by Gov. JB Pritzker, who oversees the IGB.

The waste company was previously linked to organized crime syndicates.

Immediate responses

D&P Construction, based out of Melrose Park, was hired by the contracting partnership Chicago Community Builders Collective to facilitate the $1.7 billion casino build.

Chicago Sun-Times alerted the local regulator of the company’s involvement, prompting the issuance of the stop work order.

“Today we were informed by IGB that the contractors working on the Bally’s Chicago site were utilizing an unapproved vendor and were issued a stop work notice,” a Bally’s spokesperson said in a statement released on Thursday evening. “We appreciate the diligence and action of IGB. This is the process at work. We look forward to working with the IGB to eliminate the possibility of it happening again.”

The IGB also confirmed its decision with a statement, stating that the company had not been listed as a subcontractor or approved by the board.

“The Illinois Gaming Board issued an order to cease construction work on the Bally’s Chicago permanent casino in connection with a pending IGB investigation into the use of undisclosed and unapproved vendors at the construction site,” read the statement. “The IGB is investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding the use of vendors at the permanent casino construction site. 

“The IGB takes these matters seriously, and it will take appropriate action to maintain integrity and safety following the completion of the investigation.”

History of crime-involved companies and casinos

In 2005, D&P’s alleged linkage to the mob was a leading reason the Gaming Board decided to revoke the casino license of the proposed Emerald Casino in Rosemont. The license was then given to the successful Rivers Casino Des Plaines, which opened in 2011.

However, Rivers also had to pay a $1.7 million fine after the IGB found that the casino hired a company linked to the mob for janitorial and security work. Elgin Grand Victoria Casino was also fined $3.2 million for hiring a contractor who was tied to the mob.

Ties to crime have also forced construction on the Bally’s property to come to yet another screeching halt.

The project had to take a one-month break in December after construction debris fell into the nearby river. Meanwhile, its temporary facility, which opened in September 2023, reported $160.7 million in earnings and $294.4 million in losses since its launch.

The Chicago project was recently in the news for scrapping a required minority ownership minimum after two white men cited the requirement as “discriminatory” in a lawsuit.

It is now unclear what is next for Bally’s and when it expects to open. However, it said that it intends to comply with tube regulatory standards and continue forward progress.