The sports wagering sector in Illinois ranks among the nation’s most extensive and transparent. The Illinois Gaming Board publishes a monthly dataset that reports handle, adjusted gross revenue, and tax proceeds.
We distill those raw figures into a digestible format for monitoring Illinois’s sports-betting economy.
Illinois Sports Betting Insights
August Handle Tops $1.02 Billion
Second-Largest U.S. Market
Online Betting Dominance
$9.1 Billion Year-to-Date
Sports Betting in Illinois
Illinois stands as one of the largest and most established sports betting markets in the United States, regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB). The state permits both retail and mobile wagering, with online betting accounting for the overwhelming majority of total handle. Major national operators compete across odds, betting options, and user interfaces, supported by a strong bettor base concentrated around the Chicago metropolitan area.
As of July 2024, Illinois moved from a flat 15% tax on sportsbook revenue to a progressive tax structure based on adjusted gross sports wagering receipts. The current system applies:
- 20% on revenue up to $30 million
- 25% on revenue between $30 million and $50 million
- 30% on revenue between $50 million and $100 million
- 35% on revenue between $100 million and $200 million
- 40% on revenue exceeding $200 million
Beginning in July 2025, Illinois will also impose a per-wager excise tax on online sportsbooks: 25 cents per wager for the first 20 million annual bets accepted by a licensee, and 50 cents per wager thereafter. This dual structure—progressive revenue taxation and per-bet fees—positions Illinois among the highest-taxed sports betting jurisdictions in the United States.
Interested in how different operators compare? Read our in-depth reviews of businesses in Illinois.
Annual Sports Betting Handle Growth in Illinois
Data is pulled directly from the Illinois Gaming Board Annual Reports
Source:
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Monthly Sports Betting Handle Growth in Illinois
Data is pulled directly from the Illinois Gaming Board Annual Reports
Source:
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Illinois Sports Betting Average Annual Handle
Data is pulled directly from the Illinois Gaming Board Reports
Source:
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Illinois Retail Sports Betting Annual Handle
Data is pulled directly from the Illinois Gaming Board Annual Revenue Reports
Source:
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Illinois Retail Sports Betting Monthly Handle
Data is pulled directly from the Illinois Gaming Board Monthly Revenue Reports
Source:
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Illinois Sports Betting Handle Performance
Since legal wagering began in 2020, Illinois has become a central driver of U.S. betting volume. The market’s rapid expansion reflects high participation rates and concentrated metropolitan activity rather than promotional spending. Its regulatory framework emphasizes steady revenue generation through progressive taxation rather than aggressive operator growth.
With continuous year-over-year increases, Illinois’s data profile illustrates a market past its early volatility phase—now characterized by predictable cycles aligned with major sporting events.
2022–2024 Combined Mobile/Retail Annual Revenue Data
| Year | Total Handle (USD) | Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) (USD) | Hold % | State Tax Revenue (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1,882,633,110 | 193,841,046 | 10.07% | 20,191,143 |
| 2021 | 7,021,763,064 | 810,891,340 | 11.77% | 85,062,204 |
| 2022 | 9,751,301,251 | 1,215,977,220 | 12.37% | 128,699,018 |
| 2023 | 11,620,474,009 | 1,535,383,261 | 13.37% | 162,149,629 |
| 2024 | 14,016,684,933 | 1,866,642,282 | 13.52% | 280,390,692 |
2025 Revenue Data Year-to-Date
| Month (2025) | Handle (USD) | Gross Gaming Revenue (USD) | Hold % | State Tax Revenue (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1,473,948,072 | 222,949,670 | 15.13% | 54,150,583 |
| February | 1,031,313,844 | 192,694,818 | 18.68% | 47,206,088 |
| March | 1,494,276,828 | 148,246,681 | 9.92% | 34,776,679 |
| April | 1,284,273,932 | 167,298,583 | 13.03% | 39,947,295 |
| May | 1,274,389,414 | 191,732,665 | 15.05% | 45,271,588 |
| June | 957,108,829 | 174,866,929 | 18.27% | 42,845,797 |
| July | 596,746,959 | 136,823,518 | 22.93% | 24,205,153 |
| August | 1,029,424,295 | 165,902,563 | 16.12% | 33,450,552 |
Illinois’s progression from $1.88 billion in handle during 2020 to over $14 billion in 2024 demonstrates market consolidation and bettor retention. Monthly fluctuations in 2025 align with national sports cycles rather than volatility, indicating Illinois is a stable, high-volume jurisdiction with institutionalized wagering patterns.
Latest Updates in Illinois Sports Wagering
- June 28, 2019 – Legislation, the Illinois Sports Wagering Act (SB 690), was signed into law by Governor J. B. Pritzker, legalizing both retail and online sports wagering.
- March 9, 2020 – First legal sportsbook wagers placed in Illinois.
- July ,1 2024 – Revised tax framework takes effect via HB 4951: the sports wagering tax changes from a flat 15% to tiered brackets of 20%–40% depending on adjusted gross receipts.
- June 3 2025 – Illinois legislation approved as part of the state’s budget establishing a per-wager tax on online sports bets: 25¢ per wager for the first 20 million bets per licensee annually; 50¢ per wager thereafter. Takes effect July 1, 2025.
- April 24, 2025 – Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) proposes new rules, including the prohibition of credit-card funding for sports wagering accounts, citing responsible-gambling concerns.
- March 12, 2025 – Legislative discussion highlighted regarding future legalization of online casino gaming (“iGaming”), though no bill was passed in 2025.
Illinois Snapshot
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Population | Approximately 12.71 million residents as of 2024.. (World Population Review, 2024) |
| Political Affiliation | The state is firmly Democratic-controlled: a Democratic governor and both legislative chambers are held by Democrats. (270towin.com, 2024) |
| Year Sports Betting Legalized | The Illinois Sports Wagering Act (SB 690) was signed into law on June 28, 2019, with first in-person bets placed March 9, 2020 and mobile wagering launching June 18, 2020. |
| Number of Online Sportsbooks Operating | 10 including Bet365, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars Sportsbook, Circa Sports, DraftKings, ESPN BET, Fanatics Sportsbook, FanDuel, and Hard Rock |
| Professional Sports Teams | Chicago Bears (NFL), the Chicago Bulls (NBA), the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox (MLB), and the Chicago Fire FC (MLS). |
FAQs
General Questions
1. Who oversees sports betting in Illinois?
Sports betting in Illinois is regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB), which manages licensing, compliance, and reporting for all retail and online operators.
2. How is sports betting taxed in Illinois?
Illinois uses a progressive tax structure on adjusted gross sports wagering receipts, applying higher rates to operators with larger revenues.
3. Where does sports betting tax revenue go in Illinois?
Revenue from sports wagering taxes is directed to the state’s General Revenue Fund and designated public programs that support economic and community initiatives.
4. What types of sports betting are allowed in Illinois?
Both online and retail sports betting are permitted, allowing wagers to be placed through licensed mobile applications or at authorized physical sportsbooks.
5. What data does Illinois report on sports betting?
The Illinois Gaming Board publishes monthly reports detailing handle, gross revenue, and tax contributions, offering transparency into market performance.
6. Why is Illinois considered a major betting market?
Illinois combines a large population, metropolitan concentration, and comprehensive regulation, resulting in a high-volume, data-rich, and stable sports wagering environment.
