Illinois posted one of the strongest land-based casino performances in the country this summer. New facilities, major redevelopment projects, and a rebound in in-person gaming pushed the state well ahead of national results that rose at a much slower pace.
How Illinois Compares to National Results
Illinois’ strong performance stands out next to national results. Across the U.S., land-based casino revenue in May 2025 rose 4% year over year to roughly $4.5 billion. Total gaming revenue reached $6.72 billion, a 10.9% increase driven mostly by online casino play and online sports betting.
Kentucky has followed a similar path as online operators continue to promote fast payouts, simple account setup, and wide game availability, trends detailed in reports on online casinos Kentucky players can access. New Jersey and Pennsylvania show the same pattern, where strong digital platforms help raise total revenue even when physical casinos post smaller gains. Each state reflects how online access supports overall growth, especially in regions where players rely on mobile platforms for quicker withdrawals and around-the-clock availability.
Other major states reported more modest gains from physical casinos. New Jersey’s land-based win climbed 6.1% in June to $259 million, although the state’s overall revenue jumped much higher because its online sector expanded by more than 23%. Pennsylvania recorded $601.8 million in total revenue for June, up 15.4% from 2024, again supported by online gaming. Michigan’s Detroit casinos produced $107 million in July, only a 1% improvement. Nevada, which relies heavily on in-person play, posted a 3.5% year-over-year increase in June with $1.3 billion.
Illinois’ 23.3% increase places it among the top-performing land-based markets in 2025. The jump is particularly noteworthy because the state does not offer legal online casinos, meaning most gaming activity occurs on-site rather than through digital channels.
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Leading Casinos and Market Changes
Rivers Casino Des Plaines led the state’s revenue rankings in July, bringing in over $44 million. Wind Creek Chicago Southland was the next closest, generating $18.8 million and standing as the only other venue to near the $20 million range. All remaining casinos reported less than $13 million for the month.
Two properties saw declines in performance. Hollywood Casino Joliet fell to $4.2 million, a 44% decrease linked to a partial closure during its ongoing relocation. Harrah’s Joliet also dipped slightly, $10.6 million, representing a 3% drop.
Penn Entertainment closed Hollywood Joliet’s riverboat on July 29 after 33 years on the water. It has now reopened at a nearby $185 million land-based site featuring 1,000 slot machines, 43 table games, high-limit gaming, a sportsbook, a Giada De Laurentiis restaurant, and an events space that will host shows and private gatherings.
According to the Illinois Gaming Board, the state’s 17 physical casinos reported $167.5 million in gross gaming revenue for July 2025, a 23.3% increase from July 2024. That change equals about $31.7 million in additional earnings year over year. Slot machines produced roughly $127.6 million, while table games finished just under $40 million.
How New Casinos Lifted Statewide Revenue
Two new properties played a central role in Illinois’ July results: Wind Creek Chicago Southland and Fairmount Park. Wind Creek, operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, launched in late 2024, is now the largest casino by floor size in the state. Fairmount Park, run by Accel Entertainment, added 300 gaming positions at its racetrack, further expanding access in the Metro East region.
These additions brought new customers into the market and helped Illinois outperform other states that did not add significant new capacity over the past year.
Projects Shaping the Next Phase of Growth
The Illinois Gaming Board has also kept its focus on maintaining compliance across the industry. Regulators issued cease-and-desist letters to several unlicensed online operators. A proposal is also circulating in Springfield that would ban online sweepstakes casinos, which mimic online gambling through a virtual currency model.
These steps signal that in-person gambling will remain at the center of Illinois’ regulatory approach heading into 2026. Illinois agencies have been active on several fronts, including a recent directive to stop license-plate alterations at the Department of Human Services. State officials say the next round of decisions will shape how these rules are enforced and how quickly new projects move forward.
Why Illinois Pulled Ahead
Three main factors explain the state’s advantage over other markets. First, Illinois added substantial new capacity. The openings of Wind Creek and Fairmount Park introduced more than 1,700 combined gaming positions. Few other major states saw such significant additions during that period.
Second, major redevelopment projects lifted long-term potential even as they temporarily reduced revenue at individual properties. Hollywood Joliet’s move from a riverboat to a modern land-based facility is expected to increase future totals and enhance visitor appeal. Upgrades to sportsbooks and branded dining options at other casinos also helped attract returning guests.
Third, Illinois’ regulatory approach kept most gambling activity tied to physical locations. States with legal online casinos saw slower land-based growth because online betting absorbed customer spending.
