- May data for Illinois sports betting marks an 11th consecutive billion-dollar month and reflects a 24.9% YoY increase from May 2024.
- The milestone comes just as new per-bet taxes take effect and changes are expected to reshape the market.
CHICAGO — Illinois joined the elite club of states to surpass $50 billion in lifetime sports betting handle, becoming just the third state to reach the milestone following New York and New Jersey.
The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) confirmed $1.27 billion in wagers for May 2025 on Wednesday, pushing the Illinois sports betting handle total past the $50 billion mark.
The latest report shows sustained strength in the state’s sports betting market, even outside of NFL betting season. May marked the 11th consecutive month Illinois topped $1 billion in handle, and the 24th time overall since the market’s first full month in July 2020.
No Signs Of Slowing Down…Yet
Illinois bettors placed nearly $450 million more in wagers this May than in May 2024 ($1.27B vs. $1.02B), representing a 24.9% year-over-year increase. That jump follows a broader trend of explosive growth in the Prairie State.
- May 2021: $507.3 million
- May 2022: $764.6 million
- May 2023: $821.7 million
- May 2024: $1.02 billion
- May 2025: $1.27 billion
Illinois has rapidly become a top legal sports betting market, eclipsing this mark in five years. The state has now seen seven months above $1.4 billion in handle, and monthly tax revenue regularly exceeds $15 million.
Despite the momentum, uncertainty looms over future growth due to a new, controversial sports betting tax signed into law as part of Illinois’ $55.2 billion state budget. The changes include:
- A $0.25 tax per bet on the first 20 million annual wagers per operator
- A $0.50 tax per bet beyond that threshold
The legislation primarily affects high-volume operators like DraftKings and FanDuel, who are expected to hit the 20-million-bet mark quickly. However, other sports betting apps like BetMGM set a minimum wager requirement at $2.50 per bet in Illinois.
While the added tax burden may lead operators to offer reduced sports betting bonuses and promotions, bettors might also face worse odds or additional minimums.
Either way, now is a time for celebration. The 60 months it took for Illinois to hit this milestone indicate the state is coming for the second-largest sports betting state. Now held by New Jersey, it took them 71 months to reach this mark.
Interested In Other States’ Data? Read: How Much Money Do Americans Bet On Sports?
