Illinois gamblers visited measurably less (-8%) and spent slightly more (+3%), as casino business in the Land of Lincoln took a 5% dip in November. 
The calendar had one less weekend day than last year, which surely didn’t help. Even the top grossing ($33 million) Rivers Casino wasn’t immune, with a 3% slippage. The novelty factor has definitely worn off Harrah’s Metropolis, down 18% ($6.5 million). Boyd Gaming didn’t do so hot either, falling 13% at Par-A-Dice ($6.5 million). By contrast, MGM Resorts International was off only 2% at Grand Victoria ($13 million), in Elgin.
Penn National Gaming had the one gainer in the state, Empress Joliet (+5%). That softened the blows at Hollywood Aurora ($9 million, -12%) and Argosy Belle ($4 million, -3%). Harrah’s Joliet ($16 million) was 5% off and Gaming & Leisure Properties‘ Casino Queen fell slightly, down 3% on an $8 million gross. Independent Jumer’s Casino Rock Island alos felt the malaise, grossing $6 million (off 5%).
* Movie recommendations aren’t normally the province of S&G but I can give an unequivocal endorsement to Spotlight, starring Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton and Rachel McAdams, which I saw last weekend. It’s an engrossing and ultimately quite moving testament to the power of great journalism to effect good. It does the drama’s real-life counterparts proud.
And yet legislators in IL will most certainly propose more gaming expansion to plug holes in budgets.