-- Connecting the dots between our economy, government and business --
While Bally’s was flat, new facilities led a boom in casino revenue last year in Illinois. The state’s 17 casinos generated more than $1.9 billion in adjusted gross receipts in 2025, a 15 percent year-over-year gain, according to data published by the Illinois Gaming Board.
Summary and audio linked here.
With $162 billion more from taxpayers, couldn’t you deliver a few bond upgrades, too
A largely unasked question is becoming glaring: Is Illinois doing all it should to use artificial intelligence to make government cost less and work better? So far, the evidence says no.
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Audio and summary
From employees who I spoke to at the new Hollywood Casino, the general consensus is that the opening was great guns but attendance has tapered off considerably since then and is somewhat underwhelming. I fail to see how IL thinks that this is sustainable revenue and, other than an occasional bump for the Super Bowl, a billion dollar jackpot for Megamillions/ Powerball or the Kentucky Derby, IL has pretty much maxxed out the number of people willing to gamble when they have more important things to spend their money on.