Illinois sets record with more than $1 billion wagered on sports in October

Illinois sets record with more than $1 billion wagered on sports in October

Article brief provided by Chicago Sun-Times
  • Mitchell Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times
December 8, 2022 6:11 PM
  • Mitchell Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times

Illinois bettors plunked down more than $1 billion on sports in October, a new record for the state’s young sports betting industry and one of the highest monthly figures recorded anywhere in the U.S. since the industry was legalized, gambling regulators announced Thursday.

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The staggering monthly handle — or total amount of money wagered — cements Illinois’ status as one of the nation’s most bet-hungry sports markets, joining New York, New Jersey and Nevada as the only states to cross the billion-dollar mark in a single month.

Illinois casino sportsbooks came out ahead for the month with more than $102 million in revenue, state Gaming Board Administrator Marcus Fruchter said during a monthly meeting held by the agency.