Mayoral allies snuff out Ald. Beale's bid to ban sweepstakes machines to maximize take from video gambling

Mayor Brandon Johnson's allies defeated Ald. Anthony Beale's attempt to ban sweepstakes machines in Chicago, allowing approximately 7,000 such devices to remain operational. Beale argued the machines compete unfairly with video gambling terminals and avoid city revenue, while opponents, including Ald. Jason Ervin, claimed banning them would harm Black-owned businesses excluded from other legal gambling sectors.