Video gaming starts strong in 2016

The January numbers are in. Gamblers wagered over a million dollars in gaming machines last month in Ottawa, Streator, La Salle and Peru.

According to the state numbers, Ottawa led the way in January with $1.5 million wagered into video gaming machines. A little over $1.1 million was paid out. Gamblers in Streator wagered $1.4 million last month with $1.1 million being cashed out.

In Peru, $1.1 million was played in machines last month with the payout being $919 thousand dollars. La Salle businesses saw a million dollars played last month in gaming machines. Over 760 thousand dollars was cashed out in La Salle machines.

Statewide, over $311 million was played in video gaming machines last month.