The Illinois Gaming Board reports that the number of video gaming machines in the state has quickly increased by more than 50 percent — from 31,481 in March 2019 to 47,570 in March 2024. The state takes 34 percent in taxes, keeping 29 percent for itself and giving 5 percent to the municipalities where the devices are located.
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.