Illinois Video Gambling Venues Are Facing a Burglary Epidemic

Illinois video gambling parlors are increasingly being targeted by smash-and-grab crews, as according to the Illinois Gaming Board, businesses with video gambling reported 473 burglaries in 2025.

Hits on Video Gambling Venues Have Increased in 2025

The robberies have resulted in more than $2.7 million in losses, marking a sharp rise from 2024, when 358 burglaries were reported, and $1.9 million was stolen. Owners and police say the burglaries are anything but subtle: late-night raids marked by fast break-ins, heavy tools, and crews racing to escape before officers arrive.

The targets are typically ATMs, redemption kiosks used to cash out winnings, and the gambling terminals themselves, which are often smashed open with pry bars or sledgehammers. For example, earlier this month in Bedford Park, security video captured burglars battering the front entrance with a sledgehammer. They climbed inside and tore apart machines before the police could respond. The whole incident lasted only a few minutes.

However, the stolen money is only part of the problem. Since the robber’s methods are so crude, they often leave behind a lot of broken infrastructure and machines. Some locations have started installing heavier physical defenses, like metal shields over entrances, which also adds to the costs of operations.

Law enforcement says some of the break-ins have escalated into dangerous pursuits, with officers occasionally forced to abandon chases when fleeing vehicles pose too great a risk on local roads. Bensenville Police Chief Bradley Swanson called it a growing problem, while Chicago Ridge Police Chief Jim Jarolimek said the crews are well organized and usually conduct the robbery in mere minutes.

Regulators Respond to New Trend

While local law enforcement is doing whatever it can to apprehend the suspects, the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) has also stepped in to help protect businesses. The organization has issued guidance on how to harden properties without crossing the line into improper inducements.

Illinois Gaming Board Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter said in a memo from last week that the agency has received questions from licensed terminal operators about the burglaries. He reminded licensees that current rules permit operators to supply certain security measures, such as surveillance systems, alarms, and ID scanners, as long as they are not permanent construction.

Fruchter also reminded video gaming licensees that they should report criminal incidents that affect gaming operations. Finally, he said that the IGB is coordinating with local and state police, state’s attorneys, and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office to support investigations and prosecutions connected to the burglaries.