The hedge fund owner whose East Coast corporation is poised to break ground on Chicago’s first casino pledged Thursday “to keep our promises” to neighbors of a massive gaming complex in River West — but a room full of skeptical residents pushed back on a proposal they worry will increase traffic and crime.

Soo Kim, chairman of Bally’s Corp., joked that after gaining Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s backing to build a casino at Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street, “it would be easier for me to be hiding in some dark, smoky room.

“I’m here in person telling you that we’re going to keep our promises,” Kim said during a public meeting at the University of Illinois Chicago on the mayor’s casino choice. “We negotiated this proposal — which was accepted by the city — very intentionally,”