Illinois
Analyst warns Illinois betting tax hike could trigger similar moves in other states
The decision by lawmakers in Illinois to push ahead with an increase in sports betting tax could push other states across the US to take similar action, an analyst from consultancy B Global has warned.
Last week, the Illinois house of representatives passed a progressive wagering tax rate. This will see the state’s most prolific sports betting operators pay tax at 40%, a sharp rise from the current rate of 15%.
The new-look structure sets rates at between 20% and 40%, depending on each operator’s adjusted gaming revenue (AGR). Operators posting more than $200m (£157m/€184m) face the highest rate of 40% – second-highest tax rate in the US behind New York at 51%.
Other boundaries include a 20% tax rate for operators with an AGR of under $30m, 25% for between, 30m and $50m, 30% for AGR ranging from $50m to $100m, and 35% for AGR of $100m to $200m.
The proposal, which forms part of the FY2025 budget in Illinois, is now with Illinois governor JB Pritzker for sign-off. Should Pritzker decide the pass the law, the new rates will come into effect from 1 July.
Potential knock-on effect of betting tax increase
Brendan Bussmann of B Global, a consultancy serving the gaming, sports and hospitality industries, has now tabled further concerns through a note from Truist. These primarily relate to the knock-on effect the increase could have, saying further states could follow suit with similar increases.
“With Illinois the second state to increase its tax rate [after Ohio raised its rate from 10% to 20% in 2023], investors have an increased concern around contagion,” Bussmann said.
Singling out other states, Bussmann highlights recent activity elsewhere that could signal a move to higher taxes. Massachusetts considered a hike this year, though it was quickly rejected, with Bussmann saying this is unlikely to pass in the future.
Bussmann said there has also been talk about a hike in New Jersey. However, he believes this is unlikely given how seasoned the state is with governing gaming policy. In addition, he referenced Pennsylvania as a possible candidate, but said attention here is more likely to be on the proliferation of skill-based games.
Higher taxes punish largest contributors in Illinois
Bussmann, himself a proponent of lower tax operating environments, also criticised Illinois for going after the most lucrative operators. He noted how the higher tax rates will hit the operators that already contribute the most tax revenue in the state.
He also warned that pushing tax up could have a negative impact on the overall market in Illinois. With operators facing higher costs, this may see them withdraw promotions, cut back on their offering and offer worse odds.
DraftKings and FanDuel Group’s parent company Flutter Entertainment both saw their stock price declinewhen the plans were announced. DraftKings and Flutter would be facing the highest rate of tax, with both having AGR un excess of $200m.
In addition, Bussmann went as far to say as the rise would be most beneficial for offshore betting operators. As these brands do not pay tax, any potential exit of licensed operators from the market would push more traffic their way.
What is happening elsewhere?
Longer-term, Bussmann worries states yet to legalise betting will institute higher tax rates at conception without understanding industry dynamics.
Among the states yet to legalise wagering are Minnesota, which ran out of time in the latest legislative session, Georgia, and Missouri, where a ballot initiative aimed at this November’s ballot will likely fae strong opposition from land-based casinos.
Bussmann said California and Texas continue to be key states to watch, given their size and the potential impact on the overall legal gambling picture in the US. According to Bussmann, California is having productive conversations around sports betting being on the ballot in 2026. However, he adds that a 2028 move is more likely, given ongoing tribal opposition.
As for Texas, opposition from Governor Greg Abbott to legal gambling means any move is not likely for several years, perhaps as far ahead as 2027.
Elsewhere, Bussmann notes the decision by the DC Office of Lottery and Gaming to switch from Gambet DC to FanDuel. This, he says, has seen an immediate pickup in traction – to the point where there is now talk of opening up the market to other operators.
Could we see more legal igaming?
Away from sports betting, Bussmann acknowledges an effort by Arkansas to consider legal igaming earlier this year. However, this ultimately came to nothing, with Bussmann saying legalisation is not likely to be imminent,
Maryland also failed to get igaming across the line during the last session, though continues to face budget constraints potentially driving the conversation.
In addition, Illinois itself remains a candidate for legalising igaming, with Bussmann expecting the state to make a move at some point. However, he recognises how other legal activity in the state could slow progress.
Alongside the higher sports betting tax, Illinois faces expanding video gaming terminals into Chicago and Bally’s building a land-based casino in the downtown region.
Millions of asylum seekers have been impacted as caseloads have grown
A general crackdown on immigration courts the administration sees as liberal has led to the firing of dozens of immigration judges.
Recent polls show President Donald Trump’s approval ratings continue to dip as the war in Iran endures and national gas prices float above $4.
One such poll conducted by CNN/SSRS illustrates widespread upset among Americans with regards to Trump’s handling of the economy and inflation. Here’s how Trump’s approval ratings look nationally and within Illinois, as of April 20.
Donald Trump approval rating: CNN
Only 31% of Americans approve of how Trump is handling the economy, compared to 39% in January 2026, according to the poll.
The decline in approval on the issue is even higher among Republicans, especially Republicans under 45 years old, according to CNN.
In the poll, President Donald Trump received his worst approval rating yet in either of his two terms on the economy.
CNN findings show about two-thirds of Americans say Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions, and 27% say they approve of Trump’s handling of inflation.
CNN also reported 63% of Americans say the prices at the pump have caused financial hardship in their household, including 15% calling it “severe.”
The poll, conducted March 26-30 among 1,201 U.S. adults, found 35% approve of Trump’s job performance overall. The poll’s margin of error is plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
One poll respondent told CNN and the pollster about the most important issue facing the country: “Prices! Everything is so expensive. Makes it very difficult to do anything other than work and go home. Trips to the grocery store are ridiculous! Between gas and grocery prices, we are poor!”
Trump addressed the concerns about gas prices in his address to the nation on April 1, saying the Strait of Hormuz would reopen when the conflict was over and the prices would fall again.
Trump reaffirmed his promise about the strait on April 18, saying his administration had “very good conversations going on” with Iran after the country said the strait would not be reopened.
Donald Trump approval rating in Illinois: Civiqs
Trump’s job approval rating in Illinois, as of April 18, according to data from online survey platform Civiqs, is as follows:
- Approve — 32%.
- Disapprove — 65%.
- Neither — 4%.
Donald Trump national approval rating: Civiqs
Trump’s national approval rating as of April 13, according to data from Civiqs, is as follows:
- Approve — 39%.
- Disapprove — 57%.
- Neither — 4%.
Donald Trump approval rating in Illinois: The Economist
Trump has a -36% net approval rating in Illinois as of April 20, according to data from The Economist.
Donald Trump national approval rating: The Economist
Trump’s national approval rating as of April 20, according to data from The Economist, is as follows:
- Approve — 38%.
- Disapprove — 56%.
- Don’t know — 7%.
Trump, Iran War approval rating: Pew Research Center
A Pew Research study conducted in mid-March found that about six-in-ten Americans (61%) approve of Trump’s handling of the conflict in Iran, with 39% approving.
A report released in early April found that the largest concern for most Americans as a result of the conflict is higher gas prices, with 69% saying they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about the issue.
Other Trump approval rating polls as of April 20
Here is a look at some other polling aggregators to understand how CNN/SSRS’s poll compares to the average Trump approval numbers as of April 20:
RealClearPolitics Poll Average: 41.2% approve, 56.6% disapprove.
The New York Times: 40% approve, 56% disapprove.
Silver Bulletin: 39.7% approve, 56.4% disapprove.
Which president has the lowest approval rating ever?
Although Trump has dropped to a historic low in approval rating polls this term so far, he hit a 34% low in the first term and other recent presidents such as Joe Biden hit a 36% low, Barack Obama hit a 40% low, George W. Bush hit a 25% low and Bill Clinton hit a 37% low, according to the Gallup polls, whose recorded lowest rating was Harry Truman with 22%.
As for the highest presidential approval ratings, George W. Bush holds the highest approval rating ever recorded at 90%, while his father, George H. Bush holds the second highest at 89%.
Trump is the only president that has not reached a 50% or higher approval to date in the Gallup polls’ history.
CENTRALIA, Ill. – An investigation is underway after multiple people were shot Sunday in Centralia, Illinois, according to a report from WFCN News in southern Illinois.
FOX 2 has confirmed the Illinois State Police is investigating a shooting and taking over the investigation, but ISP could not confirm many further details as of 9 p.m. Sunday.
“The investigation is in its infancy and to protect the integrity of the investigation, no additional details will be released at this time,” ISP said in a statement to FOX 2.
According to WFCN News, the shooting happened around 5 p.m. near the 900 block of East Kell Street in Centralia. Multiple law enforcement agencies have since responded to scene and multiple victims are hospitalized, according to the report.
It’s unclear how many people may have been injured and what led up to the shooting.
Centralia, Illinois is about 70 miles, or just over an hour, east of St. Louis.
This is a developing story. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.
The National Weather Service has teams of storm surveryors in the field April 18 investigating several reports of severe storms and tornado touch downs across eastern Iowa, northwest Illinois and northeast Missouri.
According to the weather service’s website, windgusts of up to 60 to 70 mph along with teacup-sized hail and several tornadoes were reported April 17.
Many homes and outbuildings were damaged, trees were uprooted and power lines were downed in Lena, Illinois, where the most significant damage occurred, the site pointed out.
Very strong winds also were reported near Washington, Iowa, and Colmar, Illinois, where several outbuildings and grain bins were destroyed.
The weather service received reports of confirmed and possible tornadoes in the areas of Lena, Pecatonica, Shirland, Rockton, Roscoe and Capron.
The teams will be assessing damage this weekend into next week along with county emergency management teams to determine what types of storms occurred and their paths.
Dozens of power outages were reported, as well.
As of the afternoon of April 18, ComEd was reporting 85 active power outages across northern Illinois, down from 241 on April 17, and 6,751 customers affected, down from more than 18,000.
The bulk of those outages and the most customers impacted are concentrated in Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties.
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