Darien Video Gambling Spikes Over 5 Years

DARIEN, IL – Darien has seen a big increase in video gambling tax income over the last five years.

In 2023, the city government collected $328,135 in taxes from video gambling machines. That's up from $308,898 the previous year.

Darien's video gambling income has risen 42 percent since 2019, the year before the pandemic. That compares with 72 percent statewide.

Eleven restaurants and bars in Darien have video gambling machines. The top five city tax generators in 2023 were Stella's ($64,587), Dotty's ($55,034), Zazzo's Pizza ($35,599), Lietuvele restaurant ($30,697) and Q Bar ($29,420).

In Illinois, 5 percent of video gambling proceeds go to local governments.

Darien has used sources such as video gambling money to help keep its property tax levy the same for more than a decade.

In October, a former Darien alderman who moved to Downers Grove said publicly that he regretted that Darien allowed video gambling, saying it hurt the city's reputation. Darien's mayor later criticized the former official's statement.

Many nearby suburbs do not allow video gambling. They include Burr Ridge, Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, La Grange, Western Springs and Elmhurst.

Here's what Darien collected in video gambling money over the last decade:

• 2023 $328,135
• 2022 $308,891
• 2021 $259,894
• 2020 $136,324
• 2019 $219,586
• 2018 $186,456
• 2017 $157,906
• 2016 $141,869
• 2015 $120,315
• 2014 $42,558
• 2013 $2,032

Source: Illinois Gaming Board