Illinois Sets New Sports Betting Record with $1.53 Billion Handle in November
Illinois’ sports betting market hit a new high in November 2024, with a total handle of $1.53 billion. This means an 11.3% increase year-over-year and that the previous record set in October was surpassed by 6%.
New Revenue and Tax Records
November wasn’t just about high betting volume—it was also the most profitable month ever for sportsbooks in Illinois. Operators generated $154.6 million in revenue, breaking the previous record of $137.2 million set in September. Compared to November 2023, revenue more than doubled, jumping by 112.6%.
The state also saw a boost in tax revenue, collecting $48.2 million from sports betting. Additionally, Cook County, home to Chicago, received $1.5 million in tax revenue from bets placed in the region.
The vast majority of bets were placed online, with $1.49 billion in wagers coming through digital platforms. Retail sportsbooks accounted for just $39.2 million, further highlighting the shift toward mobile betting.
Top Performing Operators
DraftKings and FanDuel continued to dominate the Illinois market, but all major sportsbooks saw strong growth in November:
- DraftKings led the way with a $527.1 million handle and $57.3 million in revenue, both all-time highs for the operator in the state.
- FanDuel followed closely with $512.4 million in wagers and $54.7 million in revenue, setting its own Illinois record.
- Fanatics Sportsbook handled $118.7 million in bets, bringing in $11.4 million in revenue.
- BetRivers saw $85.4 million in handle and an 81% increase in revenue from the previous month.
- BetMGM and Caesars each surpassed $60 million in handle, with both operators posting month-over-month revenue gains.
Football betting, fueled by the NFL and college football season, generated $25.2 million in revenue, thanks to a strong 61% hold rate. However, the biggest moneymaker for sportsbooks was parlay betting, which saw nearly a 20% win rate, bringing in a massive $93.7 million in revenue.
Recommended