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 $165.8million from $136.8m in October 2024, according to the latest Illinois Gaming Board returns.
The jump in revenue is due in part to high-profile openings and expansions of casinos throughout the state.
At the forefront of this expansion was Hollywood Joliet Casino, which moved from its long-standing riverboat to a new $185m land-based facility in August.
That shift has paid off as the venue recorded a 46.3% increase in revenue, up to $10.8m from $7.4m.
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 26.6% (from $2.4m in revenue to $3.1m).
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 Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, with $43.2m 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 $17.3m.
Wind Creek, which is owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, 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.
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However, some locations saw losses. DraftKings at Casino Queen had an 8.8% decrease in revenue, dropping to $6.5m, down from $7.2m the year prior.
Harrah's Joliet was another location that had a drop, going from $9.4m to $8.8m - a rare drop in an otherwise good month.
$126.4m, a year-over-year increase of 21.5%, was generated from slot machines, and revenue from table games was up to $39.4m, an increase of 20.2%.
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Analysts are attributing the strong numbers in revenue to the opening of new facilities and 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 both Michigan and Missouri.
Regulatory Focus And Future Outlook
Looking ahead, there seem to be prospects of growth in the marketplace.
Boyd Gaming announced they will phase out their 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, so it is clear that the IGB is focused on in-seat gaming at this time.
Illinois' casino industry appears to be in a great position for extended growth into the 2026 time frame, supported by new investments, resorts, and building on a solid October.
