Illinois’ land-based casino industry continued its upward momentum this summer, posting two straight months of significant year-over-year growth a recent report noted. While casinos across the country are seeing only modest gains, Illinois recorded sharp increases in both July and August, fueled by the launch of new properties and the expansion of existing ones. Moreover, according to figures released by the Illinois Gaming Board, the state’s 17 casinos reported $167.5 million in gross gaming revenue in July 2025, a 23.3% jump compared to July 2024. The following month brought even stronger results: $174 million in August, up 24.3% from the same month last year when revenues totaled $140 million. These back-to-back surges highlight Illinois’ unique position in the US gaming market, the report points out. Illinois’ expansion of physical casino spaces and the addition of new venues have boosted land-based play.
For this article, SBS will be exploring the latest gaming updates coming from Illinois, along with some additional notes and news regarding the region and beyond.
Per the same article, in July, Rivers Casino Des Plaines held its position as the state’s leading revenue producer, generating more than $44 million. This was the only property to surpass $19 million that month. Wind Creek Chicago Southland followed with $18.8 million, while no other casino topped $13 million. Hollywood Casino Joliet and Harrah’s Joliet were exceptions to the trend of yearly growth. Hollywood Joliet’s revenue dropped sharply by 44% to $4.2 million, tied to the shutdown of its riverboat operations on July 29th after 33 years. Its brand-new $185 million land-based property, offering 1,000 slot machines, 43 table games, an ESPN Bet sportsbook, and a Giada De Laurentiis restaurant, opened nearby shortly thereafter. Harrah’s Joliet also declined, slipping 3% to $10.6 million.
August figured told a slightly different story the report points out. Rivers Casino once again led the market, bringing in $42 million, though it was also the only casino to post a revenue decline year-over-year, down 3.7% from $43.5 million. In contrast, Hard Rock Casino Rockford, which recently transitioned from a temporary facility to its permanent location, posted the state’s largest revenue growth. Its earnings skyrocketed 129.5%, climbing from $5.7 million in August 2024 to $13 million. Other strong August performers included Wind Creek at $17.1 million, Grand Victoria Casino at $12.6 million, Bally’s Chicago at $11.3 million, Hollywood Casino Joliet at $11.2 million, Harrah’s Joliet at $11 million, and Full House Resorts Illinois at $11 million, per the same reports.
Noted in the same article, slot machines continued to anchor Illinois’ revenue base. In July, slots generated about $127.6 million, compared with less than $40 million from table games. The pattern continued in August, when slots brought in $137 million, a 28.3% year-over-year increase, while table games produced $37 million, up 11.4% from the previous year. The surge underscores how new casino floors, particularly at Wind Creek and Hard Rock Rockford, have boosted slot activity while also lifting table game revenues.
As noted in the same article, Illinois’ casino boom stands out against the broader US landscape. Nationally, land-based casino revenue growth has been far slower, with some states leaning heavily on online gaming to fuel their numbers. For instance, New Jersey’s brick-and-mortar casinos rose only 6.1% in June, but online gaming pushed its overall total revenue up 18.4%. Pennsylvania and Michigan reported similar trends, where internet wagering accounted for most of the expansion. Nevada, which relies largely on in-person gambling, saw just 3.5% growth in June. By contrast, Illinois’ double-digit increases came entirely from land-based operations, highlighting the state’s distinct trajectory. The openings of Wind Creek Chicago Southland in November 2024 and Fairmount Park’s expanded racino in June have provided significant momentum, helping Illinois buck the downward pressures many states face in the land-based sector.
Looking ahead, the Illinois Gaming Board has emphasized its commitment to focusing on in-person gambling while cracking down on authorized platforms. Meanwhile, legislation is under consideration to ban online sweepstakes casinos. Additional developments are on the horizon, including Boyd Gaming’s plan to replace its Par-A-Dice riverboat in East Peoria, although disputes remain over the new location. For now, Illinois’ casino industry appears well-positioned for continued growth. With back-to-back mnths of more than 20% revenue gains, new properties fueling excitement and more happening across the state, there is a lot to be excited about in Illinois for gaming fans.
After you are all up to speed in relation to the latest gambling updates and notes coming from Illinois, make sure to check out the excellent array of info for you at SBS. Of course, for even more analysis on the topic in this report, the sports betting in Illinois guide has you covered with all kinds of great updates coming from the state as it pertains to gaming. Moreover, for eligible customers, the BetOnline sportsbook review rundown is a must-read page for qualified patrons. Here, you can learn more about this outlet, whether it makes sense for you, and what you are looking for. Finally, if you are someone who is aiming for some higher-stakes wagering options and qualify, then the VIP sports betting sites breakdown is for you, as it goes over all the perks of VIP wagering.
About the Author
Chris Boline is a Reno-based business development professional and freelance sports writer with over a decade of experience covering the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and national football and basketball. His expertise spans the NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and motorsports, along with topical news, marketing, and promotional content. A proud University of Nevada graduate, Chris earned both his BS in Management & Economics (2015) and MBA (2023). He is active in the Reno community, serving on boards such as the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET, and the College of Business Alumni Association, where he was past president (2022–23). Notable honors include: - Two-time University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year honoree (2017, 2021) - 2021 NCET Professional Services Organization of the Year (with TAC) - 2016–17 Reno Bighorns MVP, awarded by the Sacramento Kings - Nevada Press Association Award for Best Sports Column (2015) - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Nevada Sagebrush Chris blends his passion for sports with a strong background in sales, marketing, and community engagement.
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