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(The Center Square) – The Illinois Gaming Board has reported a 15% drop in September sports betting, after the state imposed a new tax on wagers.
Sports Betting Alliance of Illinois spokesperson Maura Possley said five million fewer bets were placed in Illinois this September compared to September 2024.
“It shows that bets plunged in Illinois after the law was put in place and is a red flag that Illinois sports fans are fleeing the legal betting market in favor of the cheaper, illegal market,” Possley told The Center Square.
The $55.2 billion budget passed by the General Assembly last spring and signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in June included the tax as part of more than $480 million in tax increases to pay for increased state spending.
Illinois imposes a 25-cent “privilege” tax on wagering licensees for each mobile or online bet up to 20,000,000 bets and 50 cents on each bet after that. The operators can then pass the cost on to bettors.
Possley said September was the first full month of betting activity since the tax was implemented. Although September is normally busy with the start of pro football season, college football and baseball’s pennant races, Possley
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