(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Illinois Lottery sales led the state’s gambling revenues to record levels over the past fiscal year, as the state made nearly $1.9 billion between July 2021 and June 2022.
The new wagering report from the state’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability suggested the Illinois Lottery, specifically its instant games and video gaming in local establishments, are driving the surge in gambling revenues.
The report said gross receipts for Illinois’ 11 casinos were up nearly 46%.
Tom Thanas, of the Illinois Casino Gaming Association, said the casinos’ strength “has been creating an experience much like a Las Vegas experience where you get to go out, you have an opportunity to enjoy good food, entertainment and have some interaction. Our position has been you don’t necessarily get that with other gaming outlets.”
Thanas added, “I think there was a lot of pent-up demand. People were ready to get back into settings where they could socialize, interact with other people and experience the gaming industry like it’s supposed to be experienced.”
The state report also pointed to an increase of more than 43,000 gaming terminals in local establishments throughout Illinois as having an impact on gambling revenues.
Zach Stallard, of the organization Stop Predatory Gambling, said the state’s gambling revenues are misleading because gambling’s negative impacts take a big financial toll.
“It has huge negative effects on people,” Stallard said. “Increases in debt, increases in depression, increases in divorce, increases even in suicide.”
Stallard suggested that negates much, if not all, of the revenues brought in by gambling.
He said it's estimated there are 300,000 problem gamblers in Illinois.
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