Gambling establishments in the Prairie State may be experiencing a downturn, but they are not defeated.
The figures for Illinois gaming revenue in July indicate that.
Even with ongoing state restrictions aimed at controlling COVID-19, the statewide gaming win only decreased by approximately 29% compared to July 2019. If conditions related to the pandemic improve, we can expect those numbers to also improve.
Illinois July gambling revenue report wasn’t all doom and gloom
The return of gaming during the pandemic is a victory on its own. The amount of gameplay has been unexpectedly high, bringing joy to many.
In the month, gross gaming revenue totaled approximately $82.62 million, which is a decrease from the $115.75 million generated in July of the previous year.
One reason for the 29% decrease in revenue is attributed to a decline in admissions. Casino admissions across the state dropped by approximately 48% compared to July 2019.
Rivers Casino in Des Plaines saw a strong reason for optimism as it brought in over $30.3 million last month, showing only an 18% year-over-year decline.
In July, video lottery terminals (VLTs) across Illinois saw a significant improvement in performance compared to the same month in 2019. More than 35,000 VLTs generated over $166.1 million, marking a nearly 24% increase from July of the previous year.
In light of the situation, one could make the case that these figures are quite remarkable. They certainly indicate a strong interest in gambling across the state.
Circumstances IL gambling operators face right now
July marked the return to full operation for gambling companies in Illinois, but the reopening of casino doors did not bring a return to normalcy.
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Gaming Board have emphasized that the state requires gambling licensees to adhere to safety protocols.
At present, the pandemic requirements consist of:
- Up to a maximum of 50% of the fire code capacity.
- Enforcing social distancing protocols on gaming floors.
- Face masks and temperature checks are required.
- Restrictions on indoor dining and live entertainment.
At present, the casinos and other gaming facilities appear to be following the regulations. Although restrictions were reinforced in the St. Louis area, it doesn’t seem that gambling alone is to blame for the increase in positive tests.
At present, it is uncertain when Pritzker will relax these restrictions. The governor has stated that factors such as the rate of positive tests and hospital capacities will determine when these decisions are made.
Similarly, legal sports betting remains a mysterious aspect of the Illinois gambling industry.
IGB has yet to disclose sports betting revenue numbers
In mid-June, online sports betting in Illinois kicked off with BetRivers sportsbook app allowing wagering. DraftKings has also joined in, now accepting online bets in the state.
As August nears its end, the IGB has not yet released any data on the performance of online or retail sportsbooks in recent weeks. This lack of information is disappointing for the state.
A favorable assessment of the sportsbook handle in the state would serve as effective marketing for Illinois, particularly given the current circumstances. This could attract sportsbook operators to establish a presence in the state.
Lawmakers and regulators could use the numbers to assess the impact of their decisions on the market.
For instance, it is difficult to determine the impact of the in-person requirement on the registration rate in the state without access to those statistics.
Illinoisans will not have a complete understanding of the gambling industry in their state until the IGB releases a sportsbook revenue report. Despite this, the industry seems to be handling the situation well based on available information.
