Illinois casinos closed 2024 on a high note, fueled by strong holiday performance and contributions from new gambling venues, according to data published Wednesday by the Illinois Gaming Board.
Total adjusted gross receipts for December reached $157 million, up 11% year-over-year, as nearly 1.25 million visitors flocked to the state’s 16 casinos. For the year, revenues climbed to $1.69 billion, an 11% increase over 2023, with total admissions surpassing 13 million.
Rivers Casino Des Plaines maintained its dominance, generating $43 million in December revenue with 264,000 visitors. It also topped 2024’s rankings with $516 million in annual revenue.
However, the spotlight shifted to Illinois’ newer properties, which contributed significantly to the year-end surge. Hard Rock Rockford’s newly opened $300 million permanent casino took second place in December, reporting $12.1 million in revenue and 118,000 visitors.
“We’re still living off the high from our grand opening. Probably the number one comment when people walk in is, ‘I can’t believe this is in Rockford,’” said Geno Iafrate, president of Hard Rock Rockford, which debuted expanded gaming, seven restaurants, and a 1,600-seat concert venue in August.
Wind Creek Chicago Southland, which opened in November, earned $11.2 million in December and welcomed 136,000 visitors, the second-highest admissions count in the state.
Bally’s Chicago, operating from its temporary Medinah Temple facility, ranked fifth with $10.3 million in revenue and 108,000 visitors for December, closing the year with $125 million in revenue.
Despite its presence in downtown Chicago, Bally’s temporary casino fell short of projections, achieving just over half of the city’s anticipated $243 million in revenue for 2024. Local taxes from the venue amounted to $16 million, below the expected $35 million.
Construction on Bally’s $1.7 billion permanent facility in River West has been delayed following a demolition mishap that sent debris into the Chicago River. Work is expected to resume later this month, with caisson installation slated for February.
Once completed in 2026, the facility will feature 4,000 gaming positions, a 500-room hotel, and is expected to generate $200 million in annual local tax revenue.
Illinois’ gambling landscape is diversifying, with Wind Creek and Hard Rock Rockford driving competition and new revenue streams. Bally’s, meanwhile, is betting on its permanent facility to bolster market share.
A $250 million IPO launched last week invites minority investors to acquire a 25% stake in the Bally’s Chicago project.