Over Mayor Brandon Johnson’s strong objections, a City Council committee agreed Tuesday to back legalizing video gaming at more than 3,500 Chicago restaurants, hotels, theaters and bowling alleys.

Johnson promptly declared his opposition to the ordinance muscled through the License Committee by City Council dean Anthony Beale (9th), one of the mayor’s most outspoken critics, by a vote of 8 to 6. The measure would still have to be approved by the full City Council.

Staring down the barrel of a $1.15 billion shortfall after two straight years of deficit spending, the mayor said he nevertheless remains opposed to lifting the Chicago ban on video gaming.

A recent consulting study commissioned by the city concluded that video gaming revenue would be $10 million a year at best, and could actu

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