Illinois' gaming market

On June 2, the Illinois Senate passed a bill that expands its gaming industry, in part allowing up to six new casinos. Local experts say once the bill is signed by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, it’s sure to open new opportunities for gaming companies, including some based in Las Vegas. But with a tax structure that demands far more than Nevada’s, some companies may pass on the chance to move to the Windy City. In 2018, the effective tax rate for the 10 casinos in Illinois was 33.8 percent, including state and local wagering and admission taxes. The new Chicago casino is expected to have a 66 percent effective tax rate. By comparison, Nevada’s tax on gross gaming revenue is between 3.5 percent and 6.75 percent. Analyst Barry Jonas