Illinois budget proposes to raise casino table game taxes
Governor JB Pritzker’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget also includes the creation of a new gambling regulator and a reallocation of video gaming terminal (VGT) revenue.
US.- Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget includes an increase in casino table game taxes, the creation of a new gambling regulator, and a reallocation of video gaming terminal (VGT) revenue. To be enacted, the changes must be approved by the state legislature.
The governor proposes restructuring the tax rate on table games in the 15 of the 16 casinos operating in the state: all those outside of Chicago. Currently, these casinos are taxed at 15 per cent on adjusted gross revenue (AGR) up to $25m and 20 per cent on AGR above that level. The proposed budget would align the table game tax with the current slots tax structure of 15 per cent on the first $25 and up to 50 per cent on AGR above $200m.
The budget also proposes the creation of the Illinois Department of Gaming Regulation and Enforcement (IDGRE), which would be composed of the Illinois Gaming Board and the Illinois Racing Board. It also proposes to relocate the VGT revenue, with 10 per cent to be directed to a newly created State Facilities Repair and Maintenance Fund.
Representative Daniel Didech recently introduced a bill that aims to eliminate a fee introduced on sports bets in Illinois last year. House Bill 5143 proposes amending the Sports Wagering Act to remove a charge of $0.25 on each of the first 20,000 online bets that sportsbooks take each year and $0.50 per bet thereafter.
