At the Illinois Gaming Board’s (IGB) first meeting of the year, it reported that state and local governments earned more than $1.5 billion in tax revenue from Illinois’ 15 licensed casinos, more than 46,000 video gaming terminals and 13 sports wagering operators statewide in 2023.
Total revenue from Jan. 1, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2023:
- State taxes – $1,307,113,715
- Local taxes – $243,253,726
- Total taxes – $1,550,367,441
IGB Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter noted that the total amount of money wagered or handled in the Illinois sports wagering market for 2023 was $11.6 billion. Of that amount, $1 billion accounted for in sports wagering adjusted gross revenue, the amount of revenue left after winnings were paid to wagerers. The 15% state sports wagering tax resulted in $150.3 million in state taxes. Additionally, $10.6 million was generated by the 2% Cook County tax sports wagering.
Since sports wagering launched in 2020, Illinois has had one of the highest grossing sports wagering markets in the country.
Fruchter reminded Illinoisans who plan on placing bets to do so safely and responsibly and only through a retail or online sportsbook that is approved to operate in Illinois.
“Unlike licensed sportsbooks, unlawful actors do not undergo strict suitability reviews and background investigations,” Fruchter said. “These illegal operators do not contribute tax revenue to our communities. They maintain no age verification requirements to protect minors, no controls to prevent money laundering, and no guarantees that customers will receive fair payouts.”
Patrons can visit the IGB website for a list of approved, legal Illinois sportsbook operators.
Fruchter said when it comes to placing Super Bowl prop bets, also known as side bets, Illinois only allows wagering on activity directly within the control or jurisdiction of the National Football League (NFL) and/or individuals subject to its Integrity Policy. Such approval does not include actions within the control of a single person/entity outside of the NFL’s oversight and actions not directly related to the conduct of the Super Bowl.
For example, betters cannot bet on the length of the National Anthem or how many times Taylor Swift will be shown on camera, but they can wager on the length of the anthem compared to the length of a certain play in the game.
In addition to wagering on player or in-game statistics and any objective player or in-game statistic in relation to an objective non-game statistic, people can also bet on the color of Gatorade that will be poured on the coach of the winning team as well as the outcome of the coin flip.
During these significant sporting events, please remember that if you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-426-2537 or text “GAMB” to 833234. Individuals can enroll in the IGB Self-Exclusion Program at all of the IGB offices located at all casinos. Additional information can be found at https://www.igb.illinois.gov/selfexclusion.
In other business, the board:
- Granted a request under Sports Wagering Rule 1130 from Major League Soccer (“MLS”) to issue an order prohibiting wagering in Illinois on whether a player will receive a yellow card or red card penalty during a soccer match and whether a yellow card or red card will be shown during a soccer match. Effective immediately, today’s Board Order makes permanent the temporary suspension Fruchter issued on Jan. 12.
- Approved licenses for 143 video gaming locations and 73 terminal handlers.
- Denied video gaming licenses for seven video gaming location applicants.
- Approved 43 casino key person applicants, three Level 1 casino occupational licenses, 78 Level 2 casino occupational licenses and 97 Level 3 casino occupational licenses.
- Denied casino licenses for eight Level 2 and 3 casino occupational applicants.
- Approved one sports wagering supplier license and 58 Level 2 sports wagering occupational licenses.
- Denied two requests for hearing.
- Rejected the Administrative Law Judge’s Recommended Summary Judgment Decision in favor of the respondent in the matter of the Revocation of Lucky Lincoln Gaming, LLC (23 GB 004) and remanded the case back to the Administrative Law Judge for further proceedings.
- Adopted the Administrative Law Judge’s Recommended Decision as a Final Board Order in the matter of the Denial of Jose T. Camacho (21 GB 003).
The IGB will conduct its next scheduled regular meeting on March 14.