Illinois’ commercial casino market posted a modest year-over-year gain in November, as new permanent properties helped offset declines at several legacy venues. According to figures reported by the Illinois Gaming Board, statewide casino revenue reached $154.8 million, up 1.3% from $152.9 million in November 2024.
The engine behind that growth was a trio of newer properties moving out of their start-up phase. Wind Creek Southland delivered the strongest performance, surging 52% from $10.2 million to $15.5 million as it continued to ramp up operations in its permanent facility. Hollywood Casino Joliet followed closely with a 51.1% jump, from $7.3 million to $11 million, while Golden Nugget Danville posted a solid 14.9% increase, from $2.9 million to $3.3 million.
However, the positive results were far from uniform. Established brands saw notable pullbacks, led by Harrah’s Joliet, down 18% to $8.4 million, and Bally’s Chicago, down 13.4% to $8.4 million. Market leader Rivers Casino also slipped 13.4%, from $43.3 million to $37.5 million, highlighting a shift in player traffic as new competitors gain traction.
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By product, slots carried the month, with revenue climbing 4.3% from $115.4 million to $120.4 million, while table games dropped 8%, from $37.4 million to $34.5 million. The numbers underscore a familiar theme in U.S. regional gaming: new bricks-and-mortar investments and refreshed casino floors can still move the needle, even in a highly competitive and mature market.
For Illinois, November’s performance suggests that as additional projects come fully online, incremental growth will increasingly depend on how effectively operators reposition older properties and defend their share against shiny new destinations.
