Illinois: record lottery sales boost gaming tax revenue

Illinois has reported gaming tax revenue of $1.36bn for the fiscal year.

US.- Illinois’ Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability has reported that record lottery sales helped boost Illinois gaming tax revenue to $1.36bn for fiscal year 2021.

The state’s gaming tax revenues were still below the pre-pandemic $1.4bn generated in fiscal year 2019, but lottery and the first year of sports wagering helped compensate for declines in casino revenues. 

The report said that lottery sales in fiscal year 2021 surged 22 per cent to more than $3.4bn, the highest total since the Illinois Lottery began operation in 1975. Sales were up by $600m year-on-year, with instant games accounting for nearly two-thirds of the revenue.