Gamblers in Illinois put $33.6 billion into video gaming terminals in 2024, scoring huge tax revenue for the state.
Gambling activity at the machines generated $30.6 billion in winnings last year in Illinois, leading to more than $3 billion in profits, according to data from the Illinois Gaming Board. The state’s share of tax revenue from that $3 billion was around $884 million. Municipalities, which receive a smaller share of the tax revenue, received $152 million.
In 2024, these were the 10 Illinois cities with the most gambling activity at video gaming terminals found in restaurants, bars and other establishments.
1. Springfield, population: 113,714
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Amount played: $596.4 million
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Amount won: $544.3 million
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Total loss for gamblers: $52.1 million
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State share in taxes: $15.3 million
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Local share in taxes: $2.6 million
2. Decatur, population: 70,368
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Amount played: $536 million
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Amount won: $488.9 million
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Total loss for gamblers: $47.1 million
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State share in taxes: $13.8 million
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Local share in taxes: $2.3 million
3. Rockford, population: 147,649
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Amount played: $445.3 million
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Total loss for gamblers: $41.2 million
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State share in taxes: $12.1 million
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Local share in taxes: $2 million
4. Joliet, population: 149,785
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Amount played: $405.3 million
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Amount won: $369.2 million
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Total loss for gamblers: $36 million
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State share in taxes: $10.6 million
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Local share in taxes: $1.8 million
5. Cicero, population: 83,223
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Amount played: $394 million
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Amount won: $357.4 million
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Total loss for gamblers: $36.5 million
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State share in taxes: $10.7 million
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Local share in taxes: $1.8 million
6. Waukegan, population: 88,919
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Amount played: $325.4 million
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Amount won: $295.9 million
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Total loss for gamblers: $29.4 million
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State share in taxes: $8.6 million
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Local share in taxes: $1.4 million
7. Loves Park, population: 23,185
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Amount played: $307.5 million
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Amount won: $279.3 million
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Total loss for gamblers: $28.1 million
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State share in taxes: $8.2 million
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Local share in taxes: $1.4 million
8. Bloomington, population: 78,703
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Amount played: $288.1 million
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Amount won: $262.7 million
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Total loss for gamblers: $25.4 million
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State share in taxes: $7.4 million
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Local share in taxes: $1.2 million
9. Champaign, population: 88,822
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Amount played: $285.7 million
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Amount won: $261.5 million
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Total loss for gamblers: $24.2 million
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State share in taxes: $7.1 million
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Local share in taxes: $1.2 million
10. Peoria, population: 112,126
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Amount played: $265.6 million
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Amount won: $241.7 million
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Total loss for gamblers: $23.8 million
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State share in taxes: $7 million
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Local share in taxes: $1.2 million
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: These 10 Illinois cities spent the most on video gaming machines
