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ILLINOIS SPORTSBOOKS HIT RECORD $840 MILLION IN BETS IN OCTOBER Football, basketball betting spurs records for handle, revenue, and tax revenue as end of in-person registration requirements approaches, according to PlayIllinois

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ILLINOIS SPORTSBOOKS HIT RECORD $840 MILLION IN BETS IN OCTOBER Football, basketball betting spurs records for handle, revenue, and tax revenue as end of in-person registration requirements approaches, according to PlayIllinois

 

Illinois sportsbooks reached a new monthly record for wagering and revenue for the first time since the reinstatement of in-person registration. With more than $840 million in wagers, Illinois joined the top 18 legal sports betting markets in the U.S. that — using five weekends of football, the opening of the NBA season, and baseball’s postseason — set a market wagering record in October, according to PlayIllinois, which tracks the state’s regulated sports betting market.

“A calendar with an extra weekend of NFL and college football, the opening of the NBA and NHL seasons, and baseball’s postseason was always going to bring more action than a quieter month,” said Eric Ramsey, analyst for the PlayUSA.com Network, which includes PlayIllinois.com. “Regardless, a new high highlights the continued strength of Illinois’ market, and it should grow even stronger in the coming months.”

Retail and online sportsbooks combined to handle $840.4 million in wagers in October, shattering the record of $633.6 million set in March, according to official data released Tuesday. Wagers were up 40.9% from $596.5 million in September and up 93.4% from $434.6 million in October 2020, as betting in October hastened to $27.1 million per day from $19.9 million per day in the previous month.

Gross revenue rose 2.9% to $48.3 million in October from $47.0 million in October 2020 and up 8.4% from $44.6 million in September. October’s revenue still fell short of the record $49.9 million in gross revenue set in March. Taxable revenue did reach an all-time high, though, to $52.6 million in adjusted gross revenue, yielding $8.5 million in state and local taxes.

The record handle and revenue was good news for Illinois’ sportsbooks, which after the return of in-person online registration in April had not reached the highs seen in the months before. Illinois ranked No. 3 in March among all U.S. markets with $633.6 million in wagers, behind only New Jersey ($859.6 million) and Nevada ($640.8 million). Illinois still ranked No. 3 in October, but has lost ground to New Jersey ($1.3 billion) and Nevada ($1.1 billion) — the first two states to surpass $1 billion in wagers in a month.

But with HB 3136 awaiting signature, which would do away with in-person registration early next year, perhaps a $1 billion month could soon come to Illinois.

“The Illinois sports betting market is thriving in spite of the current online registration rules, so it’s exciting to imagine what it will look like when sportsbooks are untethered,” said Joe Boozell, lead analyst for PlayIllinois.com. “A surge of new operators will certainly come. And there are an untold number of Illinoisans sitting on the sidelines interested in making a bet through an online sportsbook, but not enough to make a trip to a retail sportsbook to register.” 

October’s growth was a direct result of the month’s busy sports calendar. Five weekends of football, including a Chicago Bears game each weekend, attracted $330.1 million in wagers on the sport. That is up from $230.6 million in September. The opening of the NBA season, including a hot start by the Chicago Bulls, drove $93.3 million in action. Meanwhile, baseball attracted $77.6 million in bets, followed by tennis ($53.4 million), and soccer ($36.2 million).

“The Bears’ struggles are dampening bettor enthusiasm somewhat, but NFL wagering isn’t dictated as much by the success of local teams as other sports,” Ramsey said. “The early success of the Bulls, however, and the short playoff run by the White Sox, were a definite help.” 

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Online betting accounted for $803.4 million of the wagers in October, or 95.6% of the state’s total handle. DraftKings/Casino Queen led the state with $315.3 million in combined online and retail handle, including $308.8 million in online wagers. The combined handle was up from $236.5 million in September and produced $11.7 million in gross revenue.

FanDuel was next with $236.7 million in online and retail wagers, including $235.4 million in online wagering. The combined handle was up from $156.2 million in September and created a market-best $22.3 million in gross revenue.

The leaders were followed by:

  • BetRivers/Rivers Casino ($135.7 million in wagers, including $119.0 million online; $8.0 million in revenue)
  • Barstool/Hollywood Aurora ($69.8 million in wagers, including $67.9 million online; $2.4 million in revenue)
  • PointsBet/Hawthorne Race Course ($62.4 million in wagers, including $59.6 million online; $2.8 million in revenue)
  • Caesars by William Hill/Grand Victoria ($14.0 million in wagers, including $12.7 million online; $593,941 in revenue)
  • Argosy ($4.0 million in retail wagers; $391,897 in revenue)
  • Hollywood Joliet ($1.8 million in retail wagers; $120,418 in revenue)
  • Par-A-Dice ($751,089 million in wagers; $43,120 in revenue)

“With only six in the state, Illinois is home to far fewer online sportsbook operators than any other major U.S. market,” Boozell said. “By next year, the number of online operators should grow well into the double-digits. An increase in competition would be hugely beneficial for bettors.”

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AGS Appoints Arthur Rotziokos and Richard Orozco to Lead International Growth Efforts

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AGS (NYSE: AGS), a leading supplier of high-performing slot, table, and interactive products and services to the global gaming industry, today announced two key appointments that will significantly strengthen its international operations. Arthur Rotziokos has been appointed as the Senior Director of Product Management – Asia-Pacific (APAC), and Richard Orozco has assumed the role of Senior Director of Product Management – International. Both report to Rob Ziems, AGS’ Chief Business and Legal Officer, who oversees international business.

“With tremendous growth potential and plenty of greenfield in international markets, AGS is well-poised to seize new opportunities on the global stage. Both Arthur and Richard bring unparalleled expertise and a deep well of gaming industry experience that will be vital to AGS’ global expansion strategy. Their leadership will be instrumental as we accelerate our international reach and advance our product offerings in these key markets,” said Rob Ziems.

Arthur Rotziokos, based in Sydney, Australia, will lead AGS’ entry into the rapidly expanding APAC market. With over three decades of experience in the gaming industry, including his most recent role as Vice President of Research & Development at Light & Wonder, Rotziokos is well-positioned to drive AGS’ strategic expansion across the region. His career spans roles at leading companies such as Ainsworth Game Technology and IGT, where he developed strong industry relationships and pioneered game development initiatives that led to business growth in global markets.

Richard Orozco, an experienced leader in international product management, will oversee AGS’ global product strategies, focusing on regions such as Latin America and Europe. Orozco joins AGS with extensive experience in managing product portfolios across international markets, including his most recent role as Vice President of Product Strategy at Ainsworth Game Technology. In his new role, he will work to drive market performance, optimize product lifecycles, and strengthen AGS’ market share in key international territories.

With both Rotziokos and Orozco taking on pivotal roles, AGS is poised to build its brand and gain a foothold in key international markets, further enhancing its commitment to delivering cutting-edge gaming products and solutions to operators and players worldwide.

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HARRAH’S RESORT ATLANTIC CITY WELCOMES BACK THE WORLD SERIES OF POKER® FOR A WSOP CIRCUIT STOP THIS AUGUST

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Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City today announced it will host another World Series of Poker® Circuit stop for avid poker fans who are ready to bring their poker skills to the felt. The return of the WSOP Circuit (WSOP-C) to Atlantic City will happen from Thursday, Aug. 14, through Monday, Aug. 25.
The return of the WSOP-C to Harrah’s is notable, as the casino resort hosted the initial stop on the inaugural WSOP-C tour in 2005. The 2025-26 WSOP Circuit stop marks the first time Harrah’s Resort has hosted a stop since 2020. Before then, Harrah’s was a regular stop on the series schedule from 2005-2020.
“We are thrilled to welcome back the prestigious World Series of Poker Circuit to Harrah’s Resort and the unmatched energy, excitement, and talent it brings,” said Gregg Klein, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Harrah’s Resort. “Hosting this iconic event reinforces our commitment to delivering premier gaming experiences and positions us as a top destination for esteemed players and poker fans alike.”
Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City stands out as a premier destination on the WSOP Circuit, offering an unparalleled blend of luxury, entertainment, and culinary excellence. Over the past five years, the resort has renovated all hotel rooms and suites, ensuring guests enjoy modern, stylish accommodations. The resort is also home to vibrant nightlife at The Pool After Dark, a state-of-the-art spa, thrilling gaming promotions, and the most celebrity chef restaurants in Atlantic City, including Gordon Ramsay Steak, Bobby’s Burgers, Chicken Guy!, and Buddy’s Boardwalk Empire.
The highly anticipated regional poker tour will begin in late July, immediately following the conclusion of the 2025 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. WSOP Circuit schedules are subject to change, and the WSOP reserves the right to make changes to all events related to the WSOP Circuit at any time. The full circuit schedule will be announced at a later date.
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ACR POKER LAUNCHES ‘MONEYMAKER MAY-HEM’, OFFERING PLAYERS A CHANCE TO JOIN CHRIS MONEYMAKER IN LAS VEGAS FOR $10K MAIN EVENT

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As the Sunday Moneymaker tourney approaches its one-year anniversary this summer, ACR Poker is launching a month-long pre-celebration this May with the Moneymaker May-Hem. This promo gives players a chance to join the 2003 WSOP Main Event Champion and poker legend Chris Moneymaker for a once-in-a-lifetime VIP experience during the Main Event of Vegas’ hottest summer series.

Throughout the month of May, every player who plays a $109 buy-in Sunday Moneymaker on ACR Poker and reaches a final table in any of the weekly events will earn a spot in a Final Sit & Go Showdown on Sunday, June 1st at 4pm ET.

The Final Sit & Go winner will receive a VIP package complete with a $10,000 buy-in to the Vegas Main Event, $5,000 cash for travel and other expenses, and the chance to meet Chris Moneymaker in Las Vegas. Second and third place finishers will receive $109 Sunday Moneymaker Tickets.

“The Sunday Moneymaker has become something really special, and it’s been incredible to watch it grow since we launched it last year,” said Moneymaker. “This May promo is a huge thank you to our community and every player who’s been part of this ride. I’m looking forward to welcoming the winner in Vegas, talking strategy, and hopefully celebrating a deep run in the Main Event together.” 

The Sunday Moneymaker,  which launched in July 2024 to honor ACR Pro and poker icon Chris Moneymaker, has quickly grown into one of ACR Poker’s weekly signature events. Since its debut, the Sunday Moneymaker has already attracted over 78,000 entrants and awarded more than $13 million in total prize money. The tournament features a $300,000 guarantee every Sunday, with a $400,000 prize pool on the final Sunday of each month.

Moneymaker noted that players can also qualify for each Sunday Moneymaker through ACR Poker’s satellites in the hours before every tournament, with paths starting at freerolls ($0), Micro Hyper Sats ($1.05, $2.10), and Mega Satellites ($11, $22) offering guaranteed $109 seats.

For poker players looking to follow the action, the Final Sit & Go Showdown will be live-streamed on ACR’s Twitch channel on Sunday, June 1st.

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