For the first time in 18 years, the Illinois Lottery has been supplanted as the state’s top source of gambling tax revenue, but industry leaders say it was still the top nationwide performer during a tough year for lotteries.
The Illinois Lottery racked up $3.76 billion in sales during the fiscal year that ended July 31, generating $789 million in Illinois tax revenue, according to a state report issued earlier this month.
That trailed the $871 million churned out for the state by the tens of thousands of slot machines in bars, restaurants and other establishments, marking the first time since 2007 that the lottery didn’t serve as Illinois’ biggest gambling cash cow.
