Chicago is poised to become a new hub for gambling in airports as O’Hare International Airport and Midway Airport gear up to install slot machines, becoming the third and fourth U.S. airports to do so.
This initiative comes on the heels of legislation approved in 2019 that permitted the establishment of a casino in Chicago, which also allows for the placement of gaming machines in the city’s airports.
Currently, the only airports in the United States featuring slot machines are Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and Reno-Tahoe International Airport in Reno.
The slot machine concession at Reid International is held by South Point Hotel-Casino owner Michael Gaughan, who has touted the revenue generated from airport slots, reporting $1 billion in earnings over the past 36 years.
While the timeline for when O’Hare and Midway will see these gaming machines remains uncertain, Bally’s Corp. holds the concession rights at the two airports.
The mood surrounding the introduction of slot machines at these airports has gained traction recently, particularly following a budget crisis in the city.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson proposed implementing a city tax of 10.25 percent on Illinois sports bets to address a staggering $1.15 billion budget deficit.
However, state lawmakers halted that plan, prompting renewed interest in slot machines at O’Hare and Midway, which could potentially generate much-needed revenue for the city.
These machines are expected to be strategically placed beyond Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints to comply with federal regulations.
Previous Mayor Lori Lightfoot had opted against pursuing airport slot machines, but the current financial challenges might catalyze Mayor Johnson’s willingness to explore this revenue-generating avenue.
In related news, the Arizona Department of Gaming reported a remarkable 23 percent increase in sports wagering for August compared to the previous year.
Arizona has emerged as a significant player in the sports betting landscape, with bettors wagering a staggering $610.7 million in retail and mobile sports that month, leading to the state’s collection of $4.1 million in fees.
FanDuel topped the charts among vendors, grossing $178.5 million from bets in Arizona alone, despite not holding a license in Nevada.
Operators in Arizona are subjected to an 8 percent fee on retail bets and a 10 percent fee on mobile bets, which has contributed to the state’s burgeoning sports wagering market.
Turning to Macao, the region has reported an impressive 29.7 million visitors during the first three quarters of 2025, reflecting a 14.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
During this period, Macao’s gaming revenue has seen a similar upward trend, growing by 7.1 percent to reach $22.6 billion, according to data from the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau.
In a bid to bolster its tourism sector, Macao’s resort industry is mimicking Las Vegas by enhancing its entertainment and sports offerings.
The region recently hosted exhibition matches featuring the National Basketball Association, tapping into the global appeal of sports to draw more visitors.
The influx of visitors has been notably driven by Mainland China, where arrivals surged by 18.4 percent to approximately 21.6 million, while international tourist arrivals reached 1.9 million from countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
In Las Vegas, Boyd Gaming Corp. reported its third-quarter results, which revealed that ongoing risks from slower destination travel have impacted their performance.
The company’s EBITDAR fell by 4 percent year on year, mainly due to the struggles of The Orleans Hotel and Casino, which heavily relies on out-of-town visitors.
Although revenues from gaming and beverage services have modestly increased, hotel room revenue plummeted by about 10 percent, indicating challenges for the firm.
Kyle Owusu, a senior credit analyst with Octus, highlighted that while The Orleans faced the most significant impact, Boyd’s other properties were also affected by reduced tourism in Las Vegas.
However, improved booking trends for the company’s downtown and locals casinos over the last 90 days provide a glimmer of hope amid the ongoing travel challenges.
As these developments unfold, the gaming and tourism landscapes across Chicago, Arizona, and Macao indicate shifting dynamics in how cities are approaching revenue generation and visitor engagement in the face of economic challenges.
image source from：reviewjournal
