August Numbers Show Why Illinois Casinos Don’t Fret Summer Downturns

Written By Derek Helling on October 5, 2019Last Updated on March 9, 2022
Illinois casinos summer revenue

Humans are creatures of habit, as seen in the August Illinois game earnings report, which applies to casino patrons just as much as any other group of individuals.

Casinos across the country usually experience a slump from May to July, but August consistently brings a turnaround. This trend held true once again in 2019.

The game revenue for August in Illinois

According to the latest earnings statement from the Illinois Gaming Board, total gross receipts for all state games remained steady at 1.85%. Furthermore, there was a 1.64% increase in total enrollment compared to July.

The combined profit from all 10 features in August was $117.9 million, slightly higher than the $115.75 million earned in July. Despite the overall increase, not every game experienced growth in profits.

In reality, there was a decrease in four forms of gambling. The percentage decreases in those services were:

    Joliet from Hollywood: 2.38 %

  • Metropolis has a 6.06% stake in Harrah.
  • Par-A-Dice: 7.3 %
  • 7.63% of Jumer’s

On the other hand, the remaining six users significantly exceeded those expenses. The Grand Victoria, at the forefront of the company’s operations, experienced a 12.43% increase in profits in August.

The August figures show promise, but there are still areas of concern. Casinos in Illinois are not as popular as in other states.

Comparisons of combined annual revenue and year-over-year data

So far, 2018 has been a better year than 2019. August 2018 was better than this year’s August. Fortunately, games in Illinois are not far behind.

In August 2018, Illinois casinos generated $118.38 million in revenue, representing a negligible 0.41% difference. However, in the cumulative annual comparison, there is a slightly larger gap.

Illinois casinos saw a 3.43% increase in revenue, earning $895.93 million in the first eight months of this year compared to $927.75 million in the same period of 2018.

Furthermore, the games could potentially offset any losses during the robust fall and winter seasons.

Why the casino sector benefits more in the fall and winter

During the slow summer months in the gaming industry, customer practices take precedence over any shortcomings on the part of casinos. Users tend to shift their focus to alternative platforms.

During the summer months, casino patrons are faced with increased expenses and time commitments for childcare as their children are not in school, resulting in reduced funds for entertainment. Moreover, customers are more inclined to travel during this period.

The end of summer in August marks the conclusion of the escape, as people transition back to their daily routines and reclaim their time and resources. Games capitalize on this opportunity by strategically incorporating advertisements to attract customers who are returning from their break.

In October 2018, the month-over-month growth was approximately double that of August 2019. If this trend were to continue this year, the losses incurred by casinos in June and July would be completely offset.

Just as Bears fans are unwavering in their loyalty to Mike Ditka, casino patrons exhibit predictable spending habits. While this may result in slower business during the summer months, it also suggests that brighter days are on the horizon. The shift towards increased activity typically begins in August, as numbers start to show a more promising trend.