Quick Answer: Illinois Gaming Revenue Per Establishment
According to publicly available data from the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB):
- The average Illinois gaming establishment generates about $358,000 per year in Net Terminal Income (NTI)
- Monthly average NTI per location is about $30,000, or about $5,200 per VGT
- Establishments receive 32.5% of Net Terminal Income (NTI)
- Average annual net revenue to the business is about $116,000 per year (about $9,700 a month)
Figures are statewide averages for fiscal year 2025 (July 2024 – June 2025). They include high-volume truck stops and gaming cafés, so many bars and restaurants earn less than the average.
Actual earnings vary depending on:
- Location
- Number of Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs). Current limit is 6 machines (10 at large truck stops).
- Foot traffic
- Local ordinances
- Quality of Terminal Operator support
Illinois gaming revenue continues to make video gaming one of the most consistent supplemental income streams for bars, restaurants, cafés, and truck stops.
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Talk to our teamIllinois Gaming Is Big Business
Illinois is one of the largest video gaming markets in the United States.
Under the Illinois Video Gaming Act (2009), licensed establishments can operate Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) if permitted by local ordinance. Since then, Illinois gaming revenue has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry statewide.
Thousands of establishments across Illinois operate VGTs, including:
- Bars and taverns
- Restaurants
- Coffee shops and gaming cafés
- Truck stops
- Veterans’ and fraternal organizations
In fiscal year 2025, more than 49,000 VGTs generated $3.09 billion in Net Terminal Income, about $358,000 per establishment on average.
As of September 2026, 8,799 licensed establishments were operating 50,049 VGTs.
Understanding Net Terminal Income (NTI)
To understand Illinois video gaming revenue by location, it’s important to understand Net Terminal Income (NTI).
Net Terminal Income (NTI) =
Total money deposited into a VGT minus total money paid out to players
This NTI is then distributed approximately as follows:
How every $100 of NTI is split
| Goes to | Share of NTI | Of every $100 |
|---|---|---|
| State (Capital Projects Fund) | 30% | $30.00 |
| Local governments (Local Government Video Gaming Distributive Fund) | 5% | $5.00 |
| Terminal Operator | 32.5% | $32.50 |
| Gaming establishment | 32.5% | $32.50 |
After taxes and revenue splits, establishments receive 32.5% of NTI: by law (230 ILCS 40/60; 230 ILCS 40/25(c)), the profit left after the 35% tax is split 50/50 between the Terminal Operator and the establishment.
This percentage is key when estimating your annual net revenue.
How to Look Up Video Gaming Revenue for a Specific Location
The Illinois Gaming Board publishes video gaming results every month, by municipality and by establishment. To see what locations near you make:
- Go to the Illinois Gaming Board website (igb.illinois.gov) and open the video gaming reports section.
- Choose the month and download the report by municipality or by establishment.
- Filter for your city or village and compare Net Terminal Income and number of VGTs for similar businesses.
- Multiply a location’s NTI by 32.5% to see roughly what that establishment kept.
Want help reading the numbers for your area? Our team can walk you through them.
Illinois Video Gaming Revenue by Location and Establishment Type (2026 Scenarios)
The following estimates are derived from publicly available Illinois Gaming Board data. The statewide average in fiscal year 2025 was about $5,200 in NTI per VGT per month. Because results vary widely, the table shows three scenarios for a location with 6 VGTs.
| Scenario (6 VGTs) | NTI per VGT / month | Monthly NTI | Establishment share / month (32.5%) | Establishment share / year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower-traffic location | $2,500 | $15,000 | $4,875 | $58,500 |
| Typical location | $4,000 | $24,000 | $7,800 | $93,600 |
| Statewide average (FY2025) | $5,249 | $31,494 | $10,235 | $122,823 |
How These Estimates Are Calculated
- Monthly NTI: average NTI per VGT × number of terminals
- Net Revenue: 32.5% of NTI
- Annual Revenue: Monthly net × 12
Actual Illinois gaming revenue by location may vary significantly based on traffic patterns and community size.
How Much Can Your Illinois Gaming Establishment Make?
Here is a realistic annual projection model:
If you operate:
- 6 VGTs
- Generate $4,000 per VGT monthly (below the statewide average of about $5,200)
Then:
Monthly NTI = $24,000
Estimated net to establishment (32.5%) ≈ $7,800
Annual net revenue ≈ $93,600
For many Illinois businesses, this represents one of the highest-margin revenue categories in the establishment.
What would 6 VGTs earn at your location?
Send us your address and business type. We’ll compare it with similar locations in your area and give you a realistic range.
Get my estimateMaximizing Illinois Gaming Revenue at Your Location
To optimize performance:
1. Strategic Placement
Create a semi-private, well-designed gaming space separated from main dining areas.
2. Lighting & Atmosphere
Balanced lighting enhances player comfort and session length.
3. Clean, Accessible Restrooms
Convenience increases dwell time.
4. Promotional Marketing
Use permitted in-store signage and social media to increase awareness.
5. Knowledgeable Staff
Friendly and informed staff improve customer retention.
6. Extended Hours
Opening early and operating on Sundays increases revenue potential.
Why Your Terminal Operator Matters
While Illinois gaming revenue potential is strong, performance varies significantly based on terminal quality, maintenance speed, and analytics support.
A strong Terminal Operator should provide:
- High-performing machines
- Rapid service response
- Data transparency
- Strategic guidance to increase NTI
- Compliance expertise
Universal Gaming Group was the first Terminal Operator to install licensed VGTs in Illinois. Since then we have become Illinois’ most trusted, most reliable Terminal Operators. Whether you’re opening a new gaming establishment or upgrading from your current provider, partnering with an experienced operator can directly impact your annual revenue.
See how one Illinois bar grew its gaming income after switching: Why Porter’s Pub Made the Switch. Porter’s Pub went from four or five machines to all six allowed by law, with repairs done in an hour or two.
Illinois Gaming Law: What Businesses Should Know
Since legalization in 2009, Illinois has made several regulatory updates that impact revenue potential:
Maximum Machines
- Most establishments: up to 6 VGTs
- Large truck stops: up to 10 VGTs
Increased Max Bet and Max Win
- Max bet increased to $4
- Max win increased to $1,199
Progressive Jackpots
Intra-location progressive jackpots up to $10,000 were authorized as part of the gaming expansion package signed into law in Illinois in June of 2019, increasing player engagement.
Servicing Improvements
Terminal Operators no longer require on-site IGB presence for maintenance, improving uptime and revenue continuity.
Tax Rate Updates
- The tax on Net Terminal Income rose from 30% to 33% on July 1, 2019, and to 34% on July 1, 2020
- Beginning July 1, 2024, tax increased to 35% (230 ILCS 40/60)
Despite tax adjustments, Illinois gaming revenue remains strong and competitive.
FAQ: Illinois Gaming Revenue
How much do Illinois bars make from slot machines per month?
At the statewide average (about $5,200 in NTI per VGT per month in fiscal year 2025), a location with 6 VGTs generates about $31,000 in NTI a month and keeps about $10,000 of it. Results vary widely by location, and the average includes high-volume truck stops and gaming cafés.
What percentage of Illinois gaming revenue does the establishment keep?
Establishments receive 32.5% of Net Terminal Income after state taxes and Terminal Operator splits.
Where can I find Illinois video gaming revenue by location?
Illinois video gaming revenue by location is available in monthly reports published by the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB). See “How to Look Up Video Gaming Revenue for a Specific Location” above.
How many slot machines can an Illinois establishment operate?
Most establishments can operate up to 6 VGTs. Large truck stops may operate up to 10 terminals if they meet specific criteria.
How is Illinois video gaming revenue split?
The state takes a 35% tax on Net Terminal Income (30% to the state, 5% to local governments). The rest is split 50/50 by law: 32.5% to the Terminal Operator and 32.5% to the establishment.
Can I see what similar locations near me make?
Yes. The IGB publishes monthly results by municipality and establishment. Our team can pull the numbers for your area and explain what they mean for your location.
Final Thoughts on Illinois Gaming Revenue
Illinois gaming revenue remains one of the most stable supplemental income opportunities for licensed establishments.
With the right location, layout, and Terminal Operator partnership, businesses can realistically generate $60,000–$120,000 in annual net revenue from video gaming — and significantly more in high-traffic markets.
If you’re considering adding video gaming to your business or improving performance at your current location, strategic planning and experienced operational support make all the difference. If you are still at the licensing stage, start with our Illinois Gaming License Requirements guide.
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Tell us about your business and we’ll show you what video gaming could add, based on real Illinois data.
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