Illinois casinos are part of a gambling industry that continues to grow, bringing more money to the state while raising questions about the cost to players. Whether people search for “Illinois casinos” or “casinos in Illinoi,” the latest statewide figures show how much gambling has changed since lawmakers approved a major expansion in 2019.
According to the supplied summary of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability’s annual “Wagering in Illinois” report, the state collected $2.662 billion in gambling-related revenue during fiscal year 2026. That period ran from July 2025 through June 2026.
The total was 19.2% higher than the $2.234 billion collected in fiscal year 2025. It included revenue from casinos, video gaming, sports wagering, the lottery, and smaller sources—not casinos alone.
The news comes as a brand new casino is being built just over the state line. It also comes off a really strong month for casinos in Illinois in August.
How Illinois Casinos Contributed to Growth
Casino adjusted gross receipts, a measure of gambling revenue after winnings are paid, rose about 13% to more than $2 billion. Much of that growth came from new properties rather than stronger results at established casinos.
Illinois now has 17 casinos, compared with 10 before the 2019 expansion. That increase has given players more places to gamble and expanded the state’s taxable gambling activity.
However, casino receipts and state tax collections are different measures. The more than $2 billion in casino receipts should not be confused with the $2.662 billion collected by the state across all gambling categories.
Video Gaming and Sports Betting Add Revenue
Casinos are only one part of the picture. Video gaming terminals in bars, restaurants, and other approved locations generated roughly $3.3 billion in net terminal income.
Video gaming produced more than $1 billion in combined state and local taxes. It also surpassed the lottery as the largest source of state gambling revenue for the second consecutive year.
Sports wagering continued to expand, with more than $15 billion wagered. That figure represents betting activity, not operator profit or tax revenue.
Sports betting operators recorded nearly $1.5 billion in adjusted gross receipts. Parlays, which combine multiple selections into one wager, accounted for roughly 60% of sports betting losses.
Why Illinois Expanded Gambling
In 2019, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation allowing additional casinos, legal sports wagering, and expanded video gaming. The package helped support the Rebuild Illinois infrastructure program.
The supplied report summary places total state gambling revenue roughly 90% above fiscal year 2019 levels. Further growth is expected as permanent casino facilities open and expanded gambling options mature.
