Ald. Anthony Beale (9) is pictured during a City Council meeting Feb. 19, 2025. [Don Vincent/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on License and Consumer Protection on Tuesday narrowly advanced an ordinance to legalize video gambling in Chicago, a measure that, if approved by the City Council later this month, would allow many establishments with liquor licenses to add virtual poker, blackjack, slots and similar machines, although the proposal currently excludes taverns from participating. 

While some members called on the committee to wait another month to allow the city more time to prepare for implementation, proponents said the city has talked about legalization for years without any action. The committee voted 8-6 to advance a substitute version of Ald. Anthony Beale’s (9) proposal to establish a local licensing and regulatory structure for video gaming.