Casino revenue in Illinois remains strong … not soaring, but strong.
Admissions were just under 1 million people at 15 operating Illinois casinos in November. They produced a total adjusted gross revenue of $130.3 million for the month, according to the Illinois Gaming Board’s monthly report.
The much-ballyhooed Bally’s Chicago held steady at $7.6 million in November revenue, roughly the same as October. Since opening Sept. 9, the casino in a temporary location in Medinah Temple has generated $21.9 million in revenue.
Six of the state’s casinos saw a slight dip in revenue from October, with five rising and four reporting no significant change.
Grand Victoria enjoys most significant revenue increase in November
The entirety of casino revenue comes from brick-and-mortar casinos in the state. Illinois online casinos are prohibited, though legalizing them is expected to be debated in the upcoming session of the Illinois General Assembly.
Of the five casinos to see a rise in revenue from October to November, the largest market change in a positive direction was at the Grand Victoria. Revenue rose from $11.8 million in October to $12.8 million in November.
Here’s the listing of Illinois casinos ranked by highest revenue in November along with whether revenue increased, decreased or stayed the same compared to October.
- Rivers Casino: $43.5 million (increase)
- Grand Victoria Casino: $12.8 million (increase)
- Hard Rock Joliet: $10 million (decrease)
- Bally’s Chicago: $7.6 million (no change)
- Hollywood Joliet: $7.3 million (increase)
- Harrah’s Aurora: $7.2 million (decrease)
- The Temporary at American Place: $7.1 million (decrease)
- DraftKings Casino Queen: $6.1 million (increase)
- Hard Rock Rockford: $5.7 million (decrease)
- Bally’s Quad Cities: $4.9 million (decrease)
- Harrah’s Metropolis: $4.9 million (decrease)
- Par-A-Dice Casino: $4.8 million (no change)
- Golden Nugget Danville: $3.1 million (increase)
- Argosy: $2.6 million (no change)
- Walker’s Bluff: $2.1 million (no change)
A year ago, fewer and lesser
Despite some individual losses, total casino revenue for November compared to October was up by $1.3 million. More operators have meant more revenue in total.
Compared to November 2022, overall casino revenue has improved significantly. Though, there are four extra casinos compared to 11 at this time last year. A year ago, the 11 casinos in Illinois produced $114 million in total revenue, $16.3 million less than this past month.
Of the 11 still in business, three reported a revenue gain compared to November of last year: Hard Rock Rockford, Hollywood Joilet and Par-A-Dice Casino. The Hollywood Rockford was up $700,000 from this time last year, the Hollywood is up $600,000 while the Par-A-Dice saw a nominal gain.
Eight others reported a decline, with the Grand Victoria reporting a full $1 million loss compared to November 2022.
