Illinois’ casino industry has shown some strong signs of sustained momentum. Figures from April 2025 show major growth. Adjusted gross receipts, or AGR, rose up to 162.6 million, which means that the state saw an 18.7% increase compared to the same month last year. It reflects an increase in visitor spending. The main reasons behind the growth are the rise in consumer confidence, expanded casino offerings, and new investments into gaming facilities.

While the brick-and-mortar casinos saw huge growth in Illinois, online casinos are still getting more popular each day. They are seen as easier alternatives that offer casino experience whenever and wherever. Right now, sweepstakes casinos are a growing trend in the industry thanks to their legal status. They differ from regular online casinos by offering an opportunity to play with gold coins or sweeps coins. This means that you can choose whether to play casino games with real money or with play money. It’s thanks to this unique feature that they are legal in most states. (Source: listofsweepstakescasinos.com)

According to statistics from the Illinois Gaming Board, electronic gaming devices, or EGDs, which generally mean slot machines, brought in a large portion of the revenue. These devices were able to bring in $122 million, which means a 17.3% increase compared to the same month last year. This increase shows that the slot machines still continue to be one of the cornerstones of many casinos. Their huge popularity is thanks to their speed, ease of use, and the variety of games, which is why players almost never lose interest.

While electronic gaming devices brought in a lot, table games, which include all classics from blackjack to craps, also contributed to the monthly revenue with a solid amount. They brought in $40.5 million in April, which means a 22.8% increase when compared to the same month last year. This increase shows that while table games are hundreds of years old, they still seem to gain a lot of popularity, especially among seasoned players and tourists who are seeking an authentic casino atmosphere.

When looking at casinos’ revenues in April, Rivers Casino brought in the most. With an AGR of $43.8 million, it still continues to dominate the Illinois market. This long-continued dominance is thanks to its strong brand presence, strategic location, and commitment to enhancing the player experience. Second place goes to Wind Greek, which brought in $17.1 million, and third place goes to Grand Victoria Casino, which brought in $12.6 million. From the newer ones, Bally’s Chicago performed well by bringing in $11 million. This demonstrates how even the newer properties can compete in the Illinois market.

While all of these figures were impressive, the most surprising and impressive performance came from Hard Rock Casino Rockford, which brought in $11.8 million. While the number itself is not that impressive, it means an 89.8% increase when compared to the same month last year. This nearly twofold increase is beyond impressive, and it highlights successful marketing and operational efficiency.

These numbers indicate that Illinois’ gambling industry has a bright future ahead. This is because the numbers are balanced between properties. While Rivers Casino brought in the most, there is still no clear single property that would be driving the numbers alone. This means that the growth is not dependent on one of two properties, which is crucial for the whole industry, especially in the long run.

Local economies also benefit from the increases in the gambling industry. Everyone knows casinos for their big and showy properties and services. However, these also require a lot of workers, which is why they are also generating employment. Additionally, they also pay a lot of taxes, which in Illinois, according to this source, are usually spent to support various government expenses, from pensions to public safety. All of this concludes to one thing: the whole ecosystem of Illinois benefits when casinos are doing well.