State gambling revenue lowest in 10 years

• Reprints

SPRINGFIELD — Revenue from legalized gambling in Illinois is the lowest it’s been in 10 years.

A report from the Legislature’s Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability found gambling revenue totaled just over $1 billion in the last fiscal year. That’s a 4.5 percent drop from the previous year.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports that the drop is almost entirely because of decreasing sales at the state’s nine riverboat casinos. Horse-racing and lottery revenues have been flat.

Gambling industry representatives blame a smoking ban on riverboat casinos. Since the ban took effect nearly three years ago, receipts have dropped 28 percent.

But the American Lung Association of Illinois says the economy is the main culprit.

Lawmakers are considering legislation to add four riverboats in the state for additional state revenue.