Casino earnings in Illinois surge 23.3% in comparison to the same period last year during July
Illinois' commercial casinos have reported a significant increase in revenue for July 2025, with a collective Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) of over $167.5 million. This represents a sharp 23.3% increase compared to July 2024, according to the Illinois Gaming Board.
The top-performing casino in the state was Rivers Casino Des Plaines, which generated over $44 million in revenue, maintaining its position as the state's top revenue generator. Wind Creek Casino in the Chicago suburbs followed closely, posting substantial gains of 38.1% to reach $18.8 million.
Hard Rock Casino Rockford also experienced substantial year-over-year growth, increasing its revenues to $12.8 million. The casino's revenue growth can be attributed to its redevelopment, which expanded its square footage to a larger facility.
However, not all casinos saw gains. Hollywood Casino Joliet experienced a 43.8% decline in AGR from July 2024 to $4.1 million. The decline was due to a partial closure of its riverboat operation on July 29 after 33 years, before reopening in a new land-based facility.
Bally's Chicago saw a slight dip of 1.3% in AGR, reporting $10.5 million in July. Harrah’s Joliet also saw a 3% decline, generating $10.6 million in revenue.
The growth in Illinois' commercial casino revenue bucked the country-wide trend, which is generally downward. Illinois' growth in traditional gaming revenue (+22.7% through May 2025) ranks among the highest in the U.S.
The increase in revenue was primarily driven by slot machines, which contributed about $127.6 million of the total, with table games adding under $40 million.
Wind Creek Chicago Southland's new resort complex, anticipated to complete in 2025, includes a 70,000 sq-ft gaming floor with 1,400 slots and 56 table games, a hotel, and entertainment amenities. This expansion could potentially lead to future revenue growth for the casino.
Illinois' overall casino market showed strong growth compared to other states, contributing to the commercial gaming sector's eighth consecutive quarter of U.S.-wide growth through Q2 2025. The commercial gaming revenue nationwide reached a record $19.44 billion.
In June, the state reported a 15.1% year-on-year increase in casino revenues, with $159.1 million in revenue across the state's gambling facilities.
In summary, Rivers Casino Des Plaines is currently the state's top revenue generator, followed by Wind Creek Chicago Southland, with Illinois casinos showing a robust year-over-year revenue increase of about 23.3% as of July 2025, driven primarily by slots and new casino developments.
- Despite some casinos experiencing declines, such as Hollywood Casino Joliet and Harrah’s Joliet, the overall casino-and-gambling culture in Illinois witnessed a significant 23.3% increase in revenue in July 2025, marking a strong showing in the casino-games sector.
- With the upcoming expansion of Wind Creek Chicago Southland's resort complex, featuring a larger gaming floor and new table games, there is a great potential for sports enthusiasts to engage in casino-games, further boosting Illinois' casino-culture and revenue growth.
