The Windy City may soon be dishing out windfalls to travelers, as each Chicago airport could be lined with slot machines in the near future to help generate revenue.
City officials are exploring this possibility after it was revealed during the City Council’s October 2025 budget hearings. The proposal is one of several strategies being considered to diversify the city’s revenue streams.
That would mean both Midway Airport and O'Hare Airport would be filled with the ringing bells and bubbly sounds of slot machines.
The Background: Why Slots at each Chicago Airport?
The idea of slot machines at each Chicago airport isn't entirely new. It dates back to a 2019 Illinois gambling expansion law that allows such installations but requires city approval.
Essentially, Chicago has the green light to move forward; it just needs to give slots the official nod.
Alderman Gilbert Villegas, a key player in this discussion, believes airports present a "captive audience" of travelers who might have time to spare—and money to spend—while waiting for flights.
Financial Pros and Cons of Airport Slot Machines
City officials have mixed feelings about how much money the slot machines at Chicago airports might make.
Some studies say these slot machines might only bring in around $10 million a year, which is much less than the $100 million some people hoped for. The city only gets a small slice of the money from these machines, unlike the bigger share it gets from regular casinos.
In Illinois, Chicago can only keep about 5.15% of the money from airport slot machines, compared to 20% from casino slots.
Jill Jaworski, Chicago's CFO, said that some years the city might make $10 million, but in others, it might actually lose $5 million. This depends on how many people choose the airport slots over other gambling options and how busy the airports are.
Potential Financial Implications for Bally's Casino Chicago
There's also a worry that these airport slots might steal customers from Bally's new casino in Chicago. If people prefer gambling at the airport, it could mean fewer jobs and mess with the financial deals the city has with Bally’s.
Bally’s is planning to build a big casino on a 30-acre site by the Chicago River, near Grand Avenue, Chicago Avenue, and Halsted Street. The casino will have 3,300 slot machines and 173 table games.
Along with the casino and hotel, there will be other attractions, such as:
- A theater with 3,000 seats
- Six restaurants
- Cafes
- A food hall
There will also be a 2-acre public park to add some green space and make the area more enjoyable. It's expected to be finished late next year.
There are already 16 casinos operating in the Prairie State
How Do Other Cities Use Money Generated From Airport Slots?
Other U.S. cities have found that slot machines in airports bring in steady, though not huge, amounts of money.
This money mostly helps fund airport budgets and pay for tourism-related infrastructure, rather than significantly boosting overall city funds. Here are two examples:
Las Vegas (Harry Reid International Airport): Since introducing slot machines in 1986, Las Vegas's Harry Reid International Airport now has over 1,400 slots. These machines turn travelers' free time into regular income.
The slots are run through a partnership between local aviation authorities and a private company. The earnings are used for airport upgrades and maintenance, not for the city’s general funds. The slots bring in about $25 million yearly, accounting for about 1% of the local aviation budget and helping the airport become more self-sufficient without needing extra tax money.
Reno–Tahoe International Airport: At the Reno–Tahoe International Airport in Nevada, there are fewer than 300 slot machines. They make about $4–5 million each year, which helps cover airport costs. Like in Las Vegas, this income supports airport operations, allowing tax money to be used on other city needs. Though the revenue isn't massive, it helps with maintenance and other airport expenses.
While Las Vegas shows that airport slots can be commercially successful, they mainly help with specific airport costs and don’t solve larger financial problems for the city.
What’s Next for the Chicago Airport Slot Debate?
For now, Chicago officials continue talks with Bally’s and state regulators to explore the potential for airport slot machines.
Licensing fees, regulatory oversight, and age restrictions would accompany any rollout of slot operations. As discussions progress, the city seeks to balance the potential income against possible risks to its burgeoning casino industry.
Airport slot machines usually make a small financial impact, not a big one.
For cities like Chicago, slot machines at O’Hare or Midway airports would likely help pay for airport-related expenses rather than significantly lowering the city’s overall budget deficit.
The debate over slot machines at each Chicago airport highlights a broader conversation about creative revenue sources and economic strategy. As the city examines its financial future, the outcome of these discussions could impact travelers, city budgets, and the Chicago casino landscape alike.
