Over in the Land of Lincoln, a new challenger has emerged as a dark horse for the governor’s race in the state. Per a recent article, one of Illinois’ most successful businessmen, Rick Heidner, is seeking to replace one of the state’s wealthiest citizens as the top lawmaker in the state. Heidner, whose wide-ranging interests include a major stake in the state’s slot-like video gaming terminals (VGT) industry, has supported Democrats and Republicans, but will run as a Republican. Illinois is one of only 13 states without term limits on Governors. Current Gov. JB Pritzker (D), whose mass wealth stems from his family’s ownership of the Hyatt Hotels Corporation, plans to seek a third term in 2026.
In this article, SBS will be going over the latest gambling updates and notes coming from Illinois, along with some additional notes and info coming from the region, and more.
Noted in the same article, Prizker, worth an estimated $4 billion, will eagerly await his opponent as the Republican Primary plays out. The latest to throw his name in the GOP gubernatorial pool is Heidner, 65, whose business empire includes Gold Rush Gaming. Founded in 2012, Gold Rush Gaming operates over 700 VGT locations in Illinois, distributing thousands of the slot-like terminals. The VGT host businesses include liquor stores, truck stops and gas stations, hotels, restaurants and bars, and fraternal organizations. In a D-I Statement of Organization filing made public this week by the Illinois State Board of Elections, Heidner registered a new political action committee to support his candidacy to become governor.
Meanwhile, Heinder’s Gold Rush is the third-largest operator in Illinois. As of September, the Illinois Gaming Board said there were 8,758 VGT establishments with a combined 49,552 machines. Accel Entertainment is by far the largest VGT firm in Illinois, with 2,775 locations. Along with the Gold Rush, Heidner’s business conglomerate manages over 280 commercial properties in the US. He also owns Prairie State Energy and Ricky Rockets Fuel Centers. Heidner is betting big that his next venture will be in an elected position. His state campaign filing for “Rick for Illinois” shows the committee was formed with a $1 million contribution from Heidner. However, Heidner has yet to respond to numerous media inquiries for comment.
Noted in the article, in the past, Heidner has given money to both Democrats and Republicans. He contributed to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2023 election and the Democratic campaigns for Illinois Senate President Don Harmon and County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. Heidner also supported Republican Richard Irvin’s failed 2022 gubernatorial bid, while Irvin was the mayor of Aurora from 2017 through May 2025.
Pritzker is expected to run unchallenged on the Democratic ticket. Along with Heidner, the 2026 Illinois Republican Primary pool includes declared candidates Darren Bailey, a former state senator, and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick. Whomever is the GOP nominee will face long odds of upsetting the incumbent. Since 2003, Republicans have occupied the governor’s office for just four years (Gov. Bruce Rauner, January 2015 – January 2019). Illinois has not voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1988.
Last year, gamblers in Illinois put $33.6 billion into video gaming terminals, scoring huge tax revenue for the state. Gambling activity at the machines generated $30.6 billion in winnings last year in Illinois, leading to more than $3 billion in profits, according to data from the Illinois Gaming Board. The state’s share of tax revenue from that $3 billion was around $884 million. Municipalities, which receive a smaller share of the tax revenue, received $152 million. In Peoria, for example, a staggering $265 million was put into video gaming terminals across the city.
That money, the local report notes, was a boon in tax revenue for Peoria and the state. While the money is a strong revenue source for the government and businesses, the money spent on the machines is still a large amount to digest. However, some in the state are saying that gambling addiction is a looming concern for those in the region, especially those in vulnerable populations that are already battling other addictions, or perhaps are in underserved communities. Indeed, with so many various new outlets and organizations popping up in the state, it remains to be seen how this will affect citizens in the long run. The tax benefits are extremely apparent now, but the downsides and negatives must also be examined as gaming continues its growth in Illinois.
After you are all up to speed in relation to the latest gambling news coming from the Prairie State, make sure to peruse the excellent array of information for you at SBS. For even more info on the state, the sports betting in Illinois guide has you covered with all of the latest news and notes from the Land of Lincoln as it pertains to gaming. Moreover, for those interested and also those who qualify, the BetOnline sportsbook review rundown is a must-read page. Here, qualified patrons can explore all of the latest updates coming from the outlet and what kind of contests and bonuses are right for them. Finally, the best betting apps breakdown is an excellent resource. Like the others, this particular page contains a catalogue of the latest and greatest welcome bonus offers available to you and beyond.
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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