The state’s shutdown of video gambling in mid-March cost establishments about $3,000 in profits, according to averages figured from area municipalities based on the Illinois Gaming Board’s monthly reports
Municipalities across La Salle and Bureau counties, which take in 5% of the net income, also saw a loss in revenue.
From February to March, Ottawa saw the greatest loss at $18,082, followed by Peru at $11,500, then Streator $9,110, La Salle $8,162, Princeton $6,997, Mendota $5,778, Oglesby $3,817, Utica $3,162, Spring Valley $2,774, Marseilles $2,372 and Seneca $1,683.
La Salle County saw a loss of $4,885 from video gambling in unincorporated areas.
With video gambling being shut down througout all of April, revenue losses could be as much as an additional $40,000 in Ottawa to about $3,500 for Seneca, based on monthly averages.
While governments are experiencing losses, the greatest share of profits are split between the establishments and the terminal operator at 35% each.
For example, the average gaming establishment in Ottawa takes in $7,058 of its share a month – some less, some more. That is profit businesses will not gain in April with gambling machines shut down.
Ottawa saw net terminal income go from $806,666 in February to $445,037 in March, which amounts to a revenue loss of about $3,164 for each establishment.
Peru, which draws the second-most amount of income from video gambling, went from $508,990 in February to $278,981 in March, which amounts to a revenue loss of about $3,096 per establishment.
