Illinois video gambling business sets new highs

The state of Illinois continues to enjoy a robust video gambling business five years after legislators approved the legalization of gaming terminals.

Data from the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability shows that Illinois pocketed $300.5 million in tax revenues from 26,873 machines for the 12-month period ending June 30.

State revenue from video gaming totaled $255.2 million from 23,891 terminals the prior fiscal year. Local government revenue from gambling terminals rose to $60.1 million from $51 million the year before.

Of all the cities in Illinois, Springfield has the most video gaming terminals. The city’s machines chalked a little more than $30.1 million in net terminal income from 635 terminals in the year ended June 30.