Illinois Casinos Record Highest Revenue Since 2016

Casinos in Illinois have made a strong recovery, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. The adjusted gross revenues, total taxes and admissions have reached their highest level since 2018, according to year-to-date figures up to March.

The Illinois Gaming Board has released data indicating that the total adjusted gross revenue for all 12 Illinois casinos reached $358.7 million in the first quarter of 2023.

The total has risen by 19% year-to-date, surpassing the 2022 AGR of $300.5 million. This is the highest it has been since reaching $354.6 million in 2016.

Taxes, attendance figures highest since 2018

Taxes and attendance figures for the first quarter of 2023 have both reached their highest levels since 2018.

So far this year, Illinois casinos have had a total of 2.48 million admissions. This is slightly lower than the 2.63 million attendees recorded in 2018.

Illinois casinos contributed over $69.5 million in total taxes up until March, including over $49 million to the state and $20.4 million locally. The last instance of higher tax contributions was in 2018, with a total of $72.8 million.

Sharp rebound from the pandemic years

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 led to closures that were especially challenging for casinos in Illinois.

During the initial stages of the pandemic, up until March 2020, the gross revenue exceeded $250.5 million. However, in the first quarter of 2021, it fell to slightly below $210 million. Last year, it bounced back, exceeding $300.5 million.

This implies a 71% increase in this year’s revenue total compared to 2021.

The admission statistics portray the same image.

The casino admissions this year, which is around 2.48 million, is almost twice as high as the over 1.26 million recorded in 2021.

How the newest Illinois casinos are doing

The number of casinos in Illinois has increased over the years, from 10 nine years ago to 11 last year, and now currently standing at 12. This has been of some help.

The Temporary, the latest casino in the state located in Waukegan, opened its doors on Feb. 17.

In the initial six weeks of its operation, it generated an adjusted gross revenue slightly over $10.3 million.

Although attendance has been robust, The Temporary garnered 108,537 admissions in just 45 days, compared to 90 days for other casinos.

Through the first three months of 2023, Rivers Casino was the state’s leader with 743,408 admissions and revenue exceeding $53.8 million.

The Rockford Casino: A Hard Rock Opening Act, a temporary Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, officially opened in November 2021. By 2023, the facility had generated a gross revenue of just over $16 million and had more than 140,635 visitors.

Illinois sports betting also surging

Illinois sportsbooks are performing well, even though the most recent statistics for sports betting in Illinois are only available till February. The state recorded a handle of $875.4 million in that month, placing it second in the United States, only surpassed by New York ($1.47 billion). It outperformed New Jersey ($847.4 million), Nevada ($659.4 million), and Ohio ($639.8 million).

Before February, Illinois had four consecutive months where it handled over $1 billion each month. This achievement made Illinois the fourth state, after New York, New Jersey, and Nevada, to record four straight months of handling a billion-dollar.

Illinois sportsbooks failed to reach $1 billion in sports betting handle for the first time in five months, primarily due to the lack of football betting opportunities.