Gamblers in Illinois spent more money than ever before at the state's seventeen physical casinos in 2025.

According to the Illinois Gaming Board, 2025 gross gaming revenue (GGR), or the sum remaining after the casinos paid out winnings, came to $1,943,722,561.89. Slot machines accounted for the majority of the winnings, which were close to $1.49 billion. The remaining $457.8 million was brought in via table games.

The over $1.9 billion in casino revenue marked a 15% increase compared to 2024, when GGR was around $1.7 billion. Nearly 44% surge from the prepandemic revenue of $1.35 billion in 2019, the 2025 mark represents a 29% increase from the $1.5 billion win in 2023.

The top casino in Illinois was still Rivers Casino Des Plaines. A 26% share of the state market was reported by the casino, which is co-owned by Rush Street Gaming of Chicago and Churchill Downs, with GGR of $503 million.

Wind Creek Chicago Southland, which opened in November 2024, was next at $198 million.

Gaming Expansion: Chicago, Illinois

The first whole year of operation for the $529 million Wind Creek Chicago Southland facility, which was approved by Illinois' 2019 gaming expansion package, was in 2025. The measure, which is a component of Governor JB Pritzker's (D) "Rebuild Illinois" program, gave the go-ahead for an integrated resort casino in downtown Chicago and five casinos in the suburbs of the city.

The Hard Rock Casino Rockford's inaugural full year was also last year. With a GGR of $146.2 million in 2025, Hard Rock came in third.

The temporary Bally's Chicago casino at Medinah Temple, which was also approved by the 2019 gambling bill, came in fifth with GGR of $124.7 million, while Caesars' Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin placed fourth with $142.2 million.

Bally's is still making progress on its $1.7 billion River West neighborhood permanent casino in Chicago. Bally's management hopes to launch the resort by the end of the year.

The casino business maintains its opposition to attempts to permit VGTs, or video gaming terminals, to enter the city proper. While Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) described the $16.6 billion budget approved by the City Council as "morally bankrupt" for depending on VGT gaming, among other things, Chicago aldermen are seeking VGTs as a highly necessary source of income.

Over $2.91 billion in statewide VGT revenue in 2025 was recorded through November, the latest month for which figures are available. In 2025, the city of Aurora, one of the Chicago area's biggest cities with around 200,000 residents, generated over $14.6 million in VGT revenue.

Worries About Athletics

Despite the fact that Illinois casino income keeps rising, there are issues about the future of the state's sports betting sector. As Todd Shriber of Casino.org mentioned in November, the recently enacted per-bet surcharge has resulted in a decrease in total sports bets in the state.

A sportsbook is currently subject to a 25-cent per-bet fee in Illinois for its initial 20 million wagers. After the operator surpasses 20 million bets in a calendar year, the premium climbs to 50 cents.

According to the Sports Betting Alliance, a group that supports favorable rules and the expansion of sports gambling, there were five million fewer wagers made in September 2025 than there were in September 2024 as a result of the per-bet charge.