Illinois Casino Revenue Jumps 21% In October On Wave Of New Openings
The momentum continues to build in Illinois' casino industry, as October 2025 is one of the highest-performing months in recent years.
The most recent returns show that statewide casino revenue increased 21.2% year-over-year to $ 165.8 million from $136.8 million in October 2024, according to the latest Illinois Gaming Board returns.
The jump in revenue is partly due to high-profile openings and expansions of casinos throughout the state.
At the forefront of this expansion was Hollywood Joliet Casino, which relocated from its long-standing riverboat to a new $185 million land-based facility in August.
That shift has paid off, as the venue recorded a 46.3% increase in revenue, rising to $10.8 million from $7.4 million.
The new facility features 1,000 slot machines, 43 table games, a high-limit room, an ESPN BET sportsbook, a restaurant by Giada De Laurentiis, and a multi-purpose event space.
Many other casinos experienced double-digit growth, as seen with Walker’s Bluff Casino Resort, which increased by 26.6% (from $2.4 million in revenue to $3.1 million).
Six more operators had significant increases due to tourism and increased visitation.
Property Performance Across the State
The highest-grossing casino in the state was again the Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, with $43.2 million in revenue for the month of October, an increase of 2.5% over the same month last year.
The second-highest revenue-generating venue for the month was Wind Creek Chicago Southland, which opened in November 2024, with $17.3 million in revenue.
Wind Creek, which the Poarch Band of Creek Indians owns, offers an 81,000 square foot gaming floor with 1,400 slots and 56 tables, as well as the largest and most modern sportsbook in the state of Illinois.
Looking For An Online Casino? Check Out Our Latest Reviews!
However, some locations saw losses. DraftKings at Casino Queen experienced an 8.8% decrease in revenue, dropping to $6.5 million, down from $7.2 million the previous year.
Harrah's Joliet was another location that experienced a decline, dropping from $9.4 million to $8.8 million, a rare occurrence in an otherwise strong month.
$126.4 million, a year-over-year increase of 21.5%, was generated from slot machines, and revenue from table games was up to $39.4 million, an increase of 20.2%.
While You Are Here, Why Not Check Out Our: Casino Games Hub & Free Slots?
Analysts attribute the substantial revenue numbers to the opening of new facilities and the modernization of state gaming in Illinois.
Alongside Hollywood Joliet and Wind Creek, Accel Entertainment's Fairmount Park Racetrack opened 300 new gaming positions this year, adding to the gaming footprint within the state.
Collectively, the openings have helped cement Illinois as a top Midwestern market, which has already established itself, with gross gaming revenue surpassing that of both Michigan and Missouri.
Regulatory Focus And Future Outlook
Looking ahead, there seem to be prospects of growth in the marketplace.
Boyd Gaming announced it will phase out its Par-A-Dice riverboat casino on the East Peoria waterfront for an as-yet undisclosed site for a new land-based casino.
The Illinois Gaming Board has recently sent cease-and-desist letters to unlicensed operators of online gaming, such as Kalshi, Bovada, and BetOnline, indicating that the IGB is currently focused on in-seat gaming.
Illinois' casino industry appears to be in an excellent position for extended growth into the 2026 time frame, supported by new investments, resorts, and building on a solid October.
