Illinois gamblers bet nearly $61 million on Super Bowl – leaving sportsbooks, state in the black, but two casinos seeing red

Illinois gamblers bet nearly $61 million on Super Bowl – leaving sportsbooks, state in the black, but two casinos seeing red

Article brief provided by Chicago Sun-Times
  • Mitchell Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times
February 16, 2022 12:26 AM
  • Mitchell Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois gamblers wagered nearly $61 million on the Super Bowl, regulators announced Tuesday, a 33% increase from last year when the big game was on the board legally for the first time in state history.

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The biggest day on the sports betting calendar saw Illinois sportsbooks come out on top to the tune of $9.5 million, generating more than $1.4 million in tax revenue, according to figures released by the Illinois Gaming Board.

The statewide handle, or the total amount of money wagered, was just $45.6 million on Super Sunday of 2021, when the house won by $7.7 million and $1.1 million went to state coffers. Regulators are still tabulating the full breadth of Illinois’ bets.