October 7, 2020 – Last year, Illinois passed legislation to expand gambling in the state. It was meant to be a way to generate increased tax revenue for Illinois. But, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the gambling tax revenue dropped 13.4% during the first year of the new law. Illinois’ gambling tax revenue dropped from nearly $1.4 billion to $1.2 billion for the 2020 fiscal year. According to an annual wagering report by the state, every form of gambling suffered from the pandemic. The state was on track to see a moderate increase in tax revenues but gambling operations shut down in mid-March, causing the revenue increase to come to a halt.
Gambling venues were permitted to reopen with limits on capacity on July 1.
