Illinois casino revenue grows by 21 percent over last year

Illinois’ gambling scene received some good news at the start of the year when their 16 in-state casinos reported adjusted gross receipts (AGR) of over $143.9 million. This number represents a 21.3% increase from the $118.6 million reported at the same time last year.

Despite this, December was still a much more successful month for brick-and-mortar casinos in the state, with $157 million having been taken in during that month alone. However, the size of both figures hints at a steady increase in the popularity of casinos and suggests their importance for Illinois residents and visitors alike.

Electronic gaming devices (EGDs) within these casinos proved the most popular, making an impressive $108 million. This represents a 25.1% increase from last year and highlights the popularity of iGaming both within traditional casinos and their online counterparts. One reason for the influx of attention on the iGaming scene comes from the various bonuses and incentives that these games provide to both new and seasoned players (source: https://www.techopedia.com/gambling/casino-bonuses). Another reason stems from the casino industry’s commitment to innovate their machines, and the influx of players that doing so has brought.

The most successful casino was Rivers Casino which contributed an impressive $38.7 million to the overall revenue pool, however, it had some strong competitors with Wind Creek Casino raking in $13. 2 million and Hard Rock Casino contributing a notable $11.3 million. The success of Wind Creek Casino is especially impressive considering the casino had only been up and running for a month, having first opened its doors in December 2024. On the other end of the scale, 2024 was a tough year for some Illinois casinos. Par-A-Dice had the most significant revenue drop, making only $5 million in December of last year.

The overall success of the gambling industry within the state has benefits that go beyond just the house and its players. The tax revenue collected from the gambling industry in January 2025, saw $25.4 million going to Illinois’ public sector. From here, $16. 7 million went to various state programs including public education and infrastructure and an additional $8.7 million went towards aiding local communities.

Illinois is definitely a huge competitor in the US gambling scene, with 16 casinos already in existence and multiple more in development. For example, one of the most exciting upcoming casinos, Bally’s Chicago Casino, is due to land in 2026. This casino is expected to house six restaurants, a 3000-seat theatre, 3,400 slots, and 173 game tables. Not only that, but its prime location, by the Chicago River, is sure to make it a very popular spot for both Illinois residents and visitors.

The success of these casinos is certain to influence the current legal discussions taking place in the state. Recently, there has been talk about fully legalizing online casino gaming in Illinois and the success of brick-and-mortar casinos is sure to positively contribute to the final decisions.