Chicago City Council Passes Video Gaming
Get licensed and set for success with J&J
As of February 26th, the City of Chicago now allows bars, restaurants, veteran & fraternal organizations, and other authorized establishments to apply for a video gaming license with the Illinois Gaming Board. The previous ban on gaming in certain Cook County municipalities has been lifted as the Chicago City Council voted to approve video gaming in December 2025, nearly thirteen years after video gaming first went live in Illinois under the Video Gaming Act. The City of Chicago has since submitted its opt-in request to the Illinois Gaming Board, allowing video gaming machines to be placed within the City of Chicago.
J&J Gaming, a national leader in distributed gaming, is prepared to invest in small businesses in and around the City of Chicago by providing regulated video gaming entertainment, resulting in a new revenue stream to the City of Chicago. By partnering with J&J Gaming, establishments benefit from the company’s proven performance. Based on revenue data from October 2024 through September 2025, J&J Gaming establishments in Cook County generated average gaming revenue of $193,000*, compared to the Cook County municipal average of $146,000.
For establishments in the City of Chicago, J&J Gaming is positioned to support them through the initial licensing and installation to ongoing compliance, helping businesses integrate video gaming within the framework outlined by state and local regulations. With over 95+ years of experience, J&J Gaming provides these new & existing locations with 24/7, 365 service, top-of-the-line video gaming machines, customized marketing, analytical business reviews, and more. J&J Gaming proves we have the tools and team to support the growing gaming industry.
In addition to video gaming, J&J Gaming partners with establishments to provide a full range of amusement and entertainment offerings, including darts, pool tables, jukeboxes, ATMs, arcade games, and leagues. J&J Gaming also offers in-house security surveillance solutions with 24/7 mobile access, designed to support operational oversight for business owners, allowing them to focus on other areas of their business.
Establishments interested in learning more about video gaming in Chicago and the steps required to participate, click here!
*Based on J&J Gaming establishments in Cook County municipalities’ average revenue from October 2024 to September 2025.
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