All told, there are 43,876 state-authorized video gambling terminals in 8,072 locations across Illinois. In August alone, they took in $2,651,002,556.30 and gave back $2,424,054,191.18, adding up to net wagering activity of $226,948,365.12.
For comparison’s sake, that’s more than all but four 2022 Major League Baseball team payrolls.
Here’s a look at the 70 area establishments where more than $500,000 was wagered last month, followed by the net amount wagered after winnings were factored in, according to Illinois Gaming Board data.
Not every area town has them but for the ones that do, video gambling machines are revenue generators for cities and villages — some several hundred bucks a month, others quite a bit more.
Here’s a look at area municipalities’ cut of gambling tax revenue for August, according to the Illinois Gaming Board: