Proponents of online casino gaming in Illinois received some good news this month as several state legislators are trying to get some new casino gaming bills passed. Per a recent report, Illinois joined the lengthy list of states that will consider legalizing internet casino gaming after companion bills were filed in the general assembly earlier this month (February 7th). It is the second consecutive session that Senator Cristina Castro and Representative Edgar Gonzalez have filed to legalize gaming. Neither of their bills made it out of committee during the 2023-24 general assembly. Additionally, the article points out that Illinois is a challenging marketplace for legalization. Nonetheless, the state has added six brick-and-mortar casinos statewide over the last five-plus years which includes four new permanent and two currently temporary locations.
For this report, SBS will be going over what to look for from the latest gaming news and notes coming from the state of Illinois, as well as some other thoughts about SBS.
Also covered in the article, Illinois has the most extensive legal video gaming terminal (VGT) network in the United States. There are nearly 8,700 licensees and more than 48,700 terminals. Illinois is the number two sports betting market in the country according to the same report. Last summer, lawmakers moved that tax from a flat 15% to a progressive one with tiers ranging from 20% to 40% at the start of fiscal year 2025 last July 1st.
Additionally, covered in the same report, VGTs are the largest source of gaming tax revenue in Illinois, having generated $884.2 million in receipts for the state and an additional $152.4 million for local municipalities in the 2024 calendar year. Illinois’ 16 casinos generated $345.2 million in state tax revenue, while sports betting receipts totaled $244.2 million through November.
The biggest difference, per the report, in the bills (SB 1963 and HB 3080) from the previous general assembly is an increase in the tax rate from 15% to 25%. Both Castro and Gonzalez would again allow a licensee to have up to “three individually branded internet gaming skins.” That differs from master sports wagering licensees being allowed only one. The two lawmakers also carried over language into this year’s bills that the Illinois Gaming Board “may not issue an internet gaming license to an owner’s licensee or an organization licensee that has reduced the size of its workforce by 25% or more since February 28, 2020.” Additionally, there is no specific definition of what comprises a “workforce” for a licensee, which is something opponents of the bill – most notably VGT opponents – could seize upon in this instance.
In other state gaming news, the Illinois Gaming Board reported more than $1.7 billion in state and local tax revenue from gaming operations in 2024, excluding December’s sports wagering figures. The revenue came from 16 casinos, about 8,700 video gaming terminals, and 14 sportsbooks. Ahead of the Super Bowl, the report notes, IGB urged bettors to gamble responsibly and use licensed operators. The Board also permanently banned certain bets at the NFL’s request under Sports Wagering Rule 1130. Additionally, IGB renewed the casino license for Harrah’s Metropolis, approved ownership transfers involving Bally’s Corporation, and issued multiple gaming and wagering licenses. The next IGB meeting is scheduled for March 13, 2025.
The total revenue, another report notes for Illinois’s gaming tax revenue last year from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024, is outlined as follows. State taxes accounted for $1,458,074,226, while local taxes were attributed to $269,982,126. The IGB website also provides information about responsible gambling and how to enroll in the IGB’s voluntary self-exclusion program. Patrons can visit the IGB’s website for a list of legal Illinois sportsbook operators. Additionally, anyone who believes they or a loved one has a gambling problem can visit the IGB website to learn more about the IGB’s Self-Exclusion Program.
Also during the last IGB meeting, the Board acted under Sports Wagering Rule 1130 to permanently prohibit certain bets at the request of the National Football League (NFL). Rule 1130 allows sports leagues, governing bodies, teams, and colleges to petition the Board to prohibit certain wager types that are contrary to public policy, unfair to consumers, or negatively affect the integrity of a particular sport or Illinois sports wagering. Additionally, the Board took other official actions during the meeting, including the renewal of various casino licenses.
Once you are all up to speed in relation to the latest gambling news and notes coming from Illinois, make sure to peruse all the latest insights and notes for you only at SBS. Of course, for even more analysis about the area, make sure to check out the sports betting in Illinois guide which goes over all of the latest gaming news coming from the area and beyond. Additionally, for those who are eligible and looking to maximize their wagers, look no further than the best bonus betting sites rundown. On this page, qualified customers can find fantastic options like a catalog of the latest and greatest welcome bonus offers available to you. Finally, also for those who qualify, the VIP sports betting sites breakdown is a fantastic page that goes over the perks of VIP wagering and if it makes sense for you.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
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