Bally’s announced the departure of Chief Financial Officer Mira Mircheva, who is stepping down effective immediately for personal reasons, according to a news release issued Thursday. The resignation comes at a difficult time for the company, which is navigating a wave of financial and legal challenges centered on its $1.7 billion Chicago casino complex.

George Papanier, president of land-based casinos and a longtime Bally’s executive, will take on the additional role of interim CFO while the board searches for a permanent successor. Mircheva will remain with Bally’s through September 30 to ensure a seamless leadership transition, the company said.

Mircheva joined Bally’s in the February 2025 merger with Queen Casino & Entertainment, which operated four casinos in three states, including DraftKings at Casino Queen in East St. Louis. New York hedge fund Standard General, which owned a majority stake in Queen Casino prior to the merger, now owns about two-thirds of publicly traded Bally’s.

Her abrupt exit comes as Bally’s faces a going concern warning issued in its second-quarter earnings report, citing substantial doubt about its ability to continue over the next year. The company said it is pursuing financing alternatives including asset monetization, an equity sale and debt financing.

Bally’s has also slowed construction at its permanent Chicago casino complex at 777 W. Chicago Ave., sending a reset notice to its general contracting partnership on August 8. The company cited the City Council’s approval of video gambling terminals as a violation of its host community agreement. Bally’s is also engaged in a dispute with MGM Excavating, a former contractor that filed a mechanics lien seeking $3.8 million owed for work at the site.

The company ran a loss of $56.4 million over the first half of 2026 and has an accumulated deficit of $233.3 million. Bally’s Chicago is scheduled for a September 9 hearing before the City Council to address its financial position and the video gambling dispute.

Bally’s maintains it remains committed to opening the permanent casino in early 2027.