Circa Sports said it will set a $10 minimum online wager in Illinois. ESPN Bet raised its minimum from $0.10 to $1 on 8 August, reportedly responding to the state's per-wager tax, which began in July.
Higher minimums change the cost threshold for Illinois customers and reflect operators’ responses to the per-wager tax.
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Illinois casinos generated $182.9 million in October revenue, up 10.4% year on year, Illinois Gaming Board figures showed. Slots accounted for $140.7 million, up 11.3%, and table games contributed $42.2 million, up 7.2%; revenue increased at 14 of the state’s 17 casinos.
October revenue at Illinois casinos reached $182.9 million, a 10.4% increase from a year earlier. Slots brought in $140.7 million, up 11.3%, and table games $42.2 million, up 7.2%, according to the Illinois Gaming Board figures.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker proposed higher taxes on table games and electronic gambling in his FY2027 budget. The plan estimates $120 million in additional revenue and would raise table-game tax rates to between 15% and 50% at 15 of the state’s 16 casinos; Chicago’s casino would remain under its separate tax structure.
Sports betting operators in Illinois have introduced per-wager fees or higher minimum bets after the state adopted a tax on online wagers. The tax adds $0.25 to each of the first 20 million wagers in a fiscal year and $0.50 to each subsequent wager; industry representatives warned that the changes could push customers towards offshore platforms.
Illinois gaming machine wagers reportedly rose 6% year on year in September to $3.00 billion.
Illinois gaming machines recorded $3.10bn in wagers in August, reportedly up 4% year on year.