SPRINGFIELD, IL — Illinois’ commercial casino industry is thriving, with July 2025 gross gaming revenue (GGR) climbing to $167.5 million, a 23.3% year-over-year increase fueled by new property openings and strong slot play. While other states report summer slowdowns in in-person gaming, Illinois continues to expand its footprint and outperform expectations.
July 2025 Revenue Snapshot
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total GGR | $167.5 million |
| YoY Growth | +$31.7 million (+23.3%) |
| Slot Machine Revenue | $127.6 million |
| Table Game Revenue | <$40 million |
Top-Performing Casinos
| Casino | July GGR |
|---|---|
| Rivers Casino Des Plaines | $44+ million |
| Wind Creek Chicago Southland | $18.8 million |
| All Others | <$13 million |
Rivers Casino Des Plaines remains the state’s top earner, while Wind Creek Chicago Southland, which opened in late 2024, has quickly climbed to second place.
Expansion Fuels Growth
Illinois now boasts 17 brick-and-mortar casinos, with two new additions—Wind Creek and Fairmount Park—boosting July’s performance.
Wind Creek Chicago Southland
- Opened: November 2024
- Operator: Poarch Band of Creek Indians
- Features: 81,000 sq. ft., 1,400 slots, 56 tables, sportsbook
- Largest casino floor in Illinois
Fairmount Park Casino
- Operator: Accel Entertainment
- Location: Horse racetrack
- Features: 300 gaming positions (slots + electronic tables)
Hollywood Joliet Transition
Hollywood Casino Joliet reported a 44% revenue decline in July, earning just $4.2 million—a result of its riverboat closure on July 29 after 33 years. Operator Penn Entertainment has since launched a $185 million land-based facility nearby, featuring:
- 1,000 slot machines
- 43 live-dealer tables
- ESPN Bet Sportsbook
- Giada De Laurentiis restaurant
- Events center
Future Outlook
Illinois’ casino market is poised for continued growth:
- Boyd Gaming is exploring a new Par-A-Dice Casino to replace its East Peoria riverboat, though site selection remains contested between Peoria and East Peoria.
- The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) continues to enforce in-person-only gaming rules, issuing cease-and-desist letters to unlicensed online platforms including Kalshi, Bovada, Crypto.com, Robinhood, and BetOnline.
A bill to ban online sweepstakes casinos is still under review in the Illinois General Assembly, signaling further regulatory tightening.
