Illinois casinos drew in more than $115 million in revenue during February. The successful month follows an impressive start to the year with $112.6 million earned in January.
The February 2023 numbers represent an 18% increase over February 2022. The Illinois casino industry continues its successful growth.
As reported by the Illinois Gaming Board, the state’s total adjusted gross receipts reached $115,016,256. Slot revenue hit $88,046,772, while table games trailed at $26,969,472.
Top Illinois casinos by revenue
Rivers Casino in Des Plaines leads the state in casino revenue, generating roughly $43 million in February 2023, compared to $31 million in February 2022. Rivers Casino revenue breaks down like so:
- Slots: $26,942,513
- Table games: $16,059,583
- Admissions: 233,810
Further, Elgin’s Grand Victoria Casino comes in a distant second, earning $12 million. Harrah’s Hollywood Joliet follows in a close third, reporting $10 million. All three of the top earning properties are nestled within a two-hour drive of nearby Chicago, serving a larger player base than many of their counterparts in the southern region of the state.
One thing to note: the state Gaming Board reports in-person Illinois sports betting revenue separate from casino games revenue. Retail sportsbooks aren’t included in the casino revenue reports.
Tax revenue from IL casinos
Casinos in the Prairie State generated more than $15 million in tax revenue during the month of February, up $4 million from the same period in 2022. $6.5 million went to local municipalities. Here’s a breakdown of tax contributions by property:
- Rivers Casino (Des Plaines): $7,467,664
- Grand Victoria Casino (Elgin): $1,363,048
- Harrah’s Hollywood Casino & Hotel (Joliet): $1,179,752
- Hollywood Casino (Aurora): $925,357
New casinos in Illinois
The Temporary at American Place, a new casino in Illinois, opened in mid-February, marking the property’s first appearance on the state’s revenue reports. During its first 14 days in operation, The Temporary welcomed 40,075 patrons. The property reported $2,653,715 in slots revenue and $363,757 in table games revenue.]
Notably, it was operating at reduced capacity as it continued to train staff and construct on-property amenities such as new restaurants and a sportsbook. When it’s up and running in full, The Temporary could be a top contender in terms of Illinois casino revenue. And that’s before the permanent, $400 million American Place casino opens in 2025.
Specifically, the permanent Waukegan casino will feature:
- 1,640 slots
- 100 table games
- A permanent sportsbook
- 1,500-seat entertainment venue
- 20 ‘villa-style’ rooms called The Mansion in the initial phase. A second phase will include a 150-room hotel
And, Illinois casino gamblers eagerly await the addition of another new property in the state from Bally’s. The company plans to open a temporary location at the Medinah Temple by June 2023 while it begins construction on its permanent River West property.
The permanent, $1.7 billion Bally’s Chicago casino complex is expected to open in 2026, boasting some impressive amenities:
- An auditorium with seating for 3,000
- 11 restaurants
- A 500-room hotel
- Roughly 4,000 gaming seats
