The Prairie State continues to make its presence felt in the casino industry.
That's because Illinois’s casino sector is showing impressive growth, with revenue figures from last month reaching $174 million.
According to the Illinois Gaming Board's latest figures, this marks a substantial 24% increase compared to August 2024, when revenue was at $140 million.
This growth is being driven by new casino openings and expansions, and comes as gamblers are still getting used to both FanDuel and DraftKings announcing a surcharge in Illinois on sports bets.
Which Illinois Casinos Generated the Most Revenue?
Rivers Casino and Wind Creek continue to put up strong numbers in Illinois. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from this month's report:
Rivers Casino: Despite a minor 4% decline, Rivers Casino remained the highest-earning casino in Illinois, pulling in $42 million.
Wind Creek Chicago Southland: A newcomer in the industry, this casino generated $17 million in August, contributing significantly to the overall revenue surge.
Hard Rock Rockford: With its first full year in a permanent facility, this casino saw a staggering 130% increase in earnings, reaching $13 million. It's also getting ready to expand because of another new casino opening nearby.
Hollywood Casino Joliet: With a move to a new land-based venue, this casino earned $11.2 million in just over three weeks, showing a dramatic improvement over its previous riverboat setup.
A look at the entire list:
You'll notice Bally's Chicago and the Hard Rock Casino in Portsmouth also had strong showings.
Gaming Insights
Slots Dominance: Slot machines were the biggest revenue generators, bringing in $137 million, a 28% rise from the previous year.
Table Games Growth: Table games followed with $37 million, an increase of 11%.
Out of 17 casinos in the state, Rivers Casino was the only one to witness a slight dip in revenue. All other establishments either experienced gains or debuted strong numbers.
Expansion and Market Growth
The boost in revenue was fueled by the introduction of new casinos and the expansion of existing ones. Even when the newcomers are taken out of the equation, the state's casino revenue still saw an 11% increase from the previous year, signaling robust underlying market growth.
Hollywood Casino Joliet: This casino attracted over 101,000 visitors in less than a month following its land-based launch, making it the fifth most-visited casino in August.
Sequential Growth: August’s revenue represented a 5% growth from July’s total of $166 million for Illinois casinos.
The market’s broad-based gains were evident with several casinos, like Hard Rock Rockford and Hollywood Joliet, posting double-digit increases.
These figures underscore the impressive impact of new venues and expansions, reflecting the state's overall positive gaming trends for 2025.
Are Online Casinos the Next Step for Illinois?
Illinois' journey with casinos began back in the early 1990s when riverboat casinos first appeared. These floating gaming hubs quickly turned into a significant source of revenue for the state.
As people became more comfortable with gambling, Illinois transitioned from riverboats to land-based casinos. This shift allowed for the development of bigger, permanent establishments offering a wider range of entertainment options, like the new casino in the Southland. These changes have played a significant role in boosting the state's economy.
Now, Illinois lawmakers are considering the next logical move: legalizing online gaming. They're planning to introduce online casinos at some point during the next year. Illinois is hoping to join Michigan and the other six US states that currently allow iGaming.
