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Sub-national
North America

Illinois (USA): gambling regulation and licensing

State of Illinois

Part of United States

  • Online sports bettingRegulated
  • Online casinoProhibited
  • Online pokerProhibited
  • Lottery and iLotteryMonopoly
  • Daily fantasy sportsPre-regulation
  • Prediction marketsGrey market
  • Social and sweepstakes casinoProhibited
  • Land-based (reference)Regulated
Regulator
Illinois Gaming Board
Headline tax
40% GGR
Licence required
Yes
Last verified
21 Oct 2026

Summary

Illinois licenses online and retail sports wagering but not online casino games or online poker, which the Criminal Code treats as illegal gambling. The Illinois Gaming Board regulates sports wagering under the Sports Wagering Act of 2019, alongside 17 casinos and a video gaming network of about 9,000 locations. Online betting began on 18 June 2020. Master licences go to casinos, racetracks and sports facilities, and national brands run their online books in partnership with a licensee, most as licensed management services providers; in September 2026 the Board listed ten authorised online sportsbooks, including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars and Fanatics. Bettors must be 21 and in Illinois, and wagers on Illinois college teams are banned. Since 1 July 2024 each licensee's receipts have been taxed on a graduated annual scale, from 20% of adjusted gross receipts up to $30 million to 40% above $200 million, plus 2% on wagers placed in Cook County. Since 1 July 2025 online licensees have also paid $0.25 on each of their first 20 million wagers in a fiscal year and $0.50 on each wager after that. Online sportsbooks reported $1.45 billion of adjusted gross receipts in 2025 from more than $15 billion of wagers, 20% more receipts than in 2024. Senate Bill 3019, the revenue omnibus signed in June 2026 as Public Act 104-468, brought sports contracts traded on prediction markets within the Act as exchange wagers taxed at 1.75% rising to 3.5%, and created a licence for paid fantasy contests, open from 21 and taxed at 15%, whose rules are still going through rulemaking. On 2 October 2026 the federal court in Chicago held, in suits by the United States and the CFTC, Kalshi and Coinbase, that Illinois likely cannot require Kalshi to hold a sports wagering licence.

Common pitfalls

Reading 40% as a flat rate: it is the top band of a graduated annual scale applied to each licensee, with a separate per-wager tax on online bets and a 2% Cook County tax on top. Treating the sportsbook brand as the licence holder: the master licence belongs to an Illinois casino, racetrack or sports facility, and the brand is usually its management services provider. Reading the exchange wager tax as a licence for prediction markets: none is licensed, the federal court has held the licence requirement likely preempted for Kalshi's title contracts, and the parties agree the tax, which falls only on licensees, will not be enforced against CFTC-registered exchanges.

Key facts

Regulator
Illinois Gaming Board (IGB)
Regulator type
Gaming board
Headline tax
40% GGR
Licence required
Yes
Minimum age
21+
Tax base
Graduated annual privilege tax on each master sports wagering licensee's adjusted gross sports wagering receipts (gross receipts less winnings paid), applied separately to online and to retail wagering: 20% up to $30 million, 25% to $50 million, 30% to $100 million, 35% to $200 million and 40% above $200 million (230 ILCS 45/25-90(d), (d-5)). The 40% recorded here is the top band, not a flat rate. Licensees also pay 2% of receipts from wagers placed in Cook County (s. 25-90(a-5)) and, on online wagers, $0.25 per wager for the first 20 million wagers in a fiscal year and $0.50 per wager after that, regardless of outcome (s. 25-90(d-7)). Taxes use the accrual method and are due by the last day of the following month. Since June 2026 exchange wagers bear a transaction tax of 1.75% of each wager, 3.5% after a licensee's first five million in a fiscal year (s. 25-90(d-20)); all parties to the federal prediction market cases told the court on 8 October 2026 that the Act's taxes fall only on licensees, so they will not be enforced against CFTC-registered exchanges once the court's injunction is entered.
Capital
Springfield
Currency
USD
Official languages
English

How to get a gambling license in Illinois

The regulator is the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB).

We record 7 licence types for Illinois.

For the Management services provider licence, the application fee is $1,000,000 (as of 28 Jun 2019).

Local presence
A local company or establishment is required.
Headline tax
40% GGR (see Taxation for the full position)

Licence fees in Illinois

Licence typeApplication feeAnnual feeTerm
Management services provider licenceNonrefundable combined licence and application fee of $1,000,000 (s. 25-55(b)).$1,000,000 (as of 28 Jun 2019)Not yet verified4 years
Fantasy contest operator licenceApplication and initial licence fee of $7,500 for a large operator (more than 7,500 patrons in the previous 365 days) or $500 for a small operator (s. 25-120.3(h)).$7,500 (as of 16 Jun 2026)Not yet verified2 years

Built from the record on this page, last verified 21 Oct 2026. The Licensing and Taxation sections carry the full detail and sources.

Licensing

Licence required
Yes
Application window
Not yet verified
Local establishment required
Yes
Local server required
Not yet verified
Active licences
16 (as of 23 Sept 2026)
Notable licensees
FanDuel (Fairmount Park), DraftKings (Casino Queen), BetMGM (Par-A-Dice), Caesars Sportsbook (Grand Victoria Casino), Fanatics (Argosy Casino Alton), bet365 (Walker's Bluff), BetRivers (Rivers Casino Des Plaines), theScore Bet (Hollywood Casino Aurora), Hard Rock Bet (Hard Rock Casino Rockford), Circa Sports (American Place)
Certification requirements
Master licensees file an annual audit of their total operations and a quarterly compliance report, both by certified public accountants selected by the Board (s. 25-90(e)). Fantasy contest platforms must be tested and certified by a Board-approved laboratory before launch and every year (s. 25-120.6(b)).
Barriers to entry
Master licences are tied to Illinois casinos, racetracks and sports facilities, so national brands enter in partnership with a licensee, most holding a management services provider licence or temporary operating permit; the Board's list pairs each online brand with the licensee behind it. On 23 September 2026 the Board listed 16 master sports wagering licensees (15 casinos and racetracks and the Wrigley Field designee), of which one, Harrah's Joliet, was not approved to take wagers, and ten authorised online sportsbooks. No online-only licence under s. 25-45 is listed.

Licence types

  • Master sports wagering licence: owners licensee (casino)

    Scope
    Retail wagering at the casino and online or mobile wagering under the casino's brand or that of an 80% parent
    Term
    4 years
    Fee basis
    Initial fee of 5% of the casino's adjusted gross receipts in the preceding calendar year, capped at $10,000,000; $5,000,000 for a casino licensed after the Act, adjusted after 12 months of operations (s. 25-35(b), (b-5)).
    Renewal terms
    $1,000,000 for each further 4-year term (s. 25-35(c)).

  • Master sports wagering licence: organization licensee (racetrack)

    Scope
    Wagering at the track, at up to three inter-track wagering locations, and online or mobile
    Term
    4 years
    Fee basis
    Initial fee of 5% of the preceding year's handle or the lowest casino initial fee, whichever is greater, capped at $10,000,000; $5,000,000 for a newly licensed track, adjusted after 12 months (s. 25-30(b)).
    Renewal terms
    $1,000,000 for each further 4-year term (s. 25-30(c)).

  • Master sports wagering licence: sports facility

    Scope
    Up to seven licences; wagering at or within five blocks of the facility, including online only within that radius
    Term
    4 years
    Fee basis
    Initial licence fee of $10,000,000 (s. 25-40(d)). Northside Crown Gaming LLC holds the Wrigley Field designee licence.
    Renewal terms
    $1,000,000 for each further 4-year term (s. 25-40(e)).

  • Master sports wagering licence: online sports wagering operator

    Scope
    Online-only wagering; three licences to be awarded through an open and competitive selection (s. 25-45). None appears on the Board's licensee list.
    Term
    4 years
    Renewal terms
    $1,000,000 for each further 4-year term.

  • Management services provider licence

    Scope
    Any entity that runs a master licensee's operation or shares in sports wagering revenue, including the national online sportsbook brands
    Term
    4 years
    Application fee
    $1,000,000 as of 28 Jun 2019
    Fee basis
    Nonrefundable combined licence and application fee of $1,000,000 (s. 25-55(b)).
    Renewal terms
    $500,000 every 4 years (s. 25-55(c)).

  • Tier 2 official league data provider licence

    Scope
    Sports governing bodies or their vendors supplying official league data for tier 2 wagers
    Term
    3 years
    Fee basis
    Banded by official data sales to master licensees in the first year: $30,000 for sales up to $500,000, rising to $500,000 for sales above $2,000,000 (s. 25-60(c)).
    Renewal terms
    Renewable for 3 years at the same banded fee on the previous year's sales (s. 25-60(d)).

  • Fantasy contest operator licence

    Scope
    Paid online fantasy contests between two or more participants
    Term
    2 years
    Application fee
    $7,500 as of 16 Jun 2026
    Fee basis
    Application and initial licence fee of $7,500 for a large operator (more than 7,500 patrons in the previous 365 days) or $500 for a small operator (s. 25-120.3(h)).
    Renewal terms
    Every 2 years: $5,000 for a large operator, $300 for a small operator (s. 25-120.3(j)).

Taxation

Headline GGR tax
40% GGR
Effective date
1 Jul 2025
Player winnings tax
Gambling winnings are taxable income for Illinois individual income tax at a flat 4.95% and for federal income tax; federally, losses are deductible only by itemising and only up to the winnings reported.
Withholding mechanism
4.95% must be withheld from gambling winnings paid to an Illinois resident where the winnings are subject to federal income tax withholding, and from Illinois lottery winnings over $1,000 for residents and nonresidents alike.
Tax base
Graduated annual privilege tax on each master sports wagering licensee's adjusted gross sports wagering receipts (gross receipts less winnings paid), applied separately to online and to retail wagering: 20% up to $30 million, 25% to $50 million, 30% to $100 million, 35% to $200 million and 40% above $200 million (230 ILCS 45/25-90(d), (d-5)). The 40% recorded here is the top band, not a flat rate. Licensees also pay 2% of receipts from wagers placed in Cook County (s. 25-90(a-5)) and, on online wagers, $0.25 per wager for the first 20 million wagers in a fiscal year and $0.50 per wager after that, regardless of outcome (s. 25-90(d-7)). Taxes use the accrual method and are due by the last day of the following month. Since June 2026 exchange wagers bear a transaction tax of 1.75% of each wager, 3.5% after a licensee's first five million in a fiscal year (s. 25-90(d-20)); all parties to the federal prediction market cases told the court on 8 October 2026 that the Act's taxes fall only on licensees, so they will not be enforced against CFTC-registered exchanges once the court's injunction is entered.

Scheduled changes

  • 15% of adjusted gross fantasy contest receipts from 1 Jul 2026
    In force

    Fantasy contest operators pay a 15% privilege tax on adjusted gross fantasy contest receipts (entry fees less the in-state share of prizes).

  • 1.75% of each exchange wager, 3.5% after the first five million in a fiscal year from 16 Jun 2026
    In force

    Transaction tax on exchange wagers, including sports contracts traded on prediction markets.

Earmarked levies

  • Cook County sports wagering tax: 2% of adjusted gross receipts from wagers placed in Cook County (Cook County, for its criminal justice system (subject to appropriation))
  • Sports Wagering Fund transfers: From 25 September 2024, 58% of the monthly surplus to the General Revenue Fund and 42% to the Capital Projects Fund; per-wager and exchange wager taxes go wholly to the General Revenue Fund (State of Illinois)
  • Initial licence fees: All initial licence fees other than occupational licences (Rebuild Illinois Projects Fund)

Compliance

Minimum age
21+
KYC timing
Before the account is established; online wagering is only permitted through a verified sports wagering account (11 Ill. Adm. Code 1900.1210(a), 1900.1220(a), (b)).
AML regime
Fantasy contest licensees must comply with all applicable anti-money laundering standards and detect fraud, money laundering and collusion (s. 25-120.5). No Illinois-specific AML provision for sportsbooks was reviewed in this run.
Deposit limits
Patrons must be able to set limits on the amount wagered, prohibit new deposits or stop all wagering for between 72 hours and one year; limits cannot be lifted early and must be acknowledged on expiry before wagering resumes (11 Ill. Adm. Code 1900.1250).
KYC requirements
The patron file must hold legal name, date of birth, Social Security number or its last four digits if provided (or a passport or taxpayer number for a foreign patron), residential address, email and telephone, the verification method and date, and a declaration whether the patron is an athlete, official or other covered person. Identity is verified in person against photo ID or by approved remote multi-source authentication; the licensee confirms the patron is 21, not self-excluded and not otherwise barred, and must offer two-factor authentication (11 Ill. Adm. Code 1900.1220(b)). One account per patron per licensee.
Stake limits
Patron-set limits on the dollar amount of wagers under 11 Ill. Adm. Code 1900.1250(b); no statutory maximum stake.
Mandatory player messaging
A problem gambling statement set by the Department of Human Services on every licensee website and app (s. 25-95) and in six-monthly account statements, which must show deposits, withdrawals, wins and losses and limit history (11 Ill. Adm. Code 1900.1220(j)).
Reporting obligations
Monthly tax returns by the end of the following month, an annual audit of total operations and quarterly compliance reports by Board-selected accountants (s. 25-90(d-15), (e)); the Board publishes monthly wagering and tax reports by licensee.
Game content restrictions
No wagers on sports events involving Illinois college teams, minor league events or kindergarten to 12th grade events (s. 25-25(c), (d), (h)); other competitions need Board approval, and leagues may ask the Board to prohibit wager types under Rule 1130, as the NFL and Major League Soccer have done.

Minimum age by vertical

  • Online sports betting: 21+
  • Daily fantasy sports: 21+

Advertising

Advertising permitted
Yes
Affiliate rules
Marketing affiliates generally need no licence unless they supply systems integrated with the wagering platform, but the licensee is liable for what affiliates do on its behalf, and licensees may not pay third parties for advertising on terms that depend on the volume or outcome of wagers.
Mandatory warnings
The problem gambling statement determined by the Illinois Department of Human Services; the Board's own materials point to 1-800-GAMBLER and the Illinois Gambling Helpline.
Penalties for breach
Breaches may lead to Board disciplinary action against the licence; the Administrator reminded licensees of this in December 2025 and April 2026.

Restrictions

  • All sports wagering advertising and marketing is governed by the Board's uniform rule, 86 Ill. Adm. Code 3000.680, applied by 11 Ill. Adm. Code 1900.340 from 17 July 2025.
  • No advertising or promotion on college or university campuses, in college media or at venues used mainly for college sport, and no depiction of college students or settings.
  • Advertisements must not be placed where they are likely to be seen by under-age or vulnerable people.
  • Every advertisement, marketing piece and promotion must carry the problem gambling text set by the Department of Human Services; in December 2025 the Board warned that helpline text on some billboards was too small to read.
  • Patrons must be able to unsubscribe from advertising, marketing and promotions.
  • No direct digital marketing to a patron who has set a responsible gaming limit (11 Ill. Adm. Code 1900.1250(g)), and none to self-excluded people.
  • Licensees must keep copies of all advertising and a log of when and how it ran (11 Ill. Adm. Code 1900.340(b)).

Payments

Credit card ban
Yes
Crypto stance
Not yet verified
Permitted methods
Debit card, Cash at a cashier or self-service kiosk at an in-person wagering location, Casino chips or vouchers where the licensee is also a casino or racetrack, Reloadable prepaid card verified as issued to the patron, ACH transfer, Cash deposited through a licensed money transmitter, Complimentary or promotional amounts
Withdrawal timeframe rules
Withdrawals may go to a cashier, a verified prepaid card, the patron's bank account or a redemption kiosk (up to $3,000); licensees may not charge a fee to withdraw or receive funds, and every deposit, withdrawal or adjustment must be confirmed by email. Limits never stop a patron withdrawing or closing an account.

Enforcement

ISP blocking
Not yet verified
DNS blocking
Not yet verified
Payment blocking
Not yet verified
App store takedowns
Not yet verified
Administrative penalties
The Board may discipline licensees and applicants, including fines, under the Sports Wagering Act, the Illinois Gambling Act and its rules; disciplinary complaints are allegations until a hearing.
Criminal penalties
Gambling, including operating an internet gambling site, is a Class A misdemeanour, and a second conviction under 720 ILCS 5/28-1(a)(3) to (a)(12) a Class 4 felony (28-1(c)). Offering fantasy contests without a licence is a Class 4 felony (s. 25-120.3(a)).
Operator liability
A master licensee remains liable for marketing affiliates acting on its behalf; anyone sharing in sports wagering revenue must hold a management services provider licence (s. 25-55(d)).
Player liability
Playing a game of chance or skill for money, or wagering on a contest, outside the statutory exceptions is gambling under 720 ILCS 5/28-1(a)(1), (2). A person who loses $50 or more to an unlawful winner may sue to recover it (28-8), but not for licensed fantasy contests.

Notable actions

  • Crown IL Gaming LLC (DraftKings)15 Oct 2020

    Disciplinary complaint DC-S-20-001 for failing to make a required disclosure on time (Rule 1900.220(a)(4)); the Board sought a fine

    Fine: $15,000 as of 15 Oct 2020

  • Offshore sportsbooks and pick'em sites (Bovada on 3 February; BetOnline, Bookmaker, BetUS, Heritage Sports, BetAnySports, Drafters, ParlayPlay and Chalkboard on 11 February)11 Feb 2025

    Cease-and-desist letters for unlicensed sports wagering under the Sports Wagering Act and 720 ILCS 5/28-1(a)

  • KalshiEX, Robinhood and Crypto.com1 Apr 2025

    Cease-and-desist letters over sports event contracts; the State later agreed standstill arrangements with Kalshi and others pending the Coinbase litigation; on 2 October 2026 the federal court held the licence requirement likely preempted as applied to Kalshi's title contracts

  • Polymarket27 Jan 2026

    Cease-and-desist letter for unlicensed sports wagering; a standstill agreement followed

  • More than 60 online casino and sweepstakes operators5 Feb 2026

    Cease-and-desist letters from the Board and the Attorney General demanding that they block Illinois residents or stop offering prizes

Market data

Figures on this record are drawn from official regulator data.

Online GGR
$1,446,210,627 as of 31 Dec 2025
Reporting year
2025
Year-on-year growth
19.8%
Licensed operators
10

GGR by vertical

  • Online sports betting: $1,446,210,627 as of 31 Dec 2025

Timeline

  1. Feb 1990

    Riverboat Gambling Act legalises casino gambling

  2. 2002

    Board launches the voluntary Self-Exclusion Program for casinos

  3. 28 Jun 2019

    Sports Wagering Act signed into law as part of the gaming expansion (P.A. 101-31)

  4. 9 Mar 2020

    In-person sports wagering goes live

  5. 16 Apr 2020

    Illinois Supreme Court holds daily fantasy contests predominantly skill in Dew-Becker v. Wu

  6. 18 Jun 2020

    Online sports wagering begins

  7. 5 Mar 2022

    In-person registration for online accounts ends

  8. 1 Jul 2024

    Graduated 20% to 40% sports wagering tax replaces the 15% rate

  9. 11 Feb 2025

    Cease-and-desist letters to offshore sportsbooks and pick'em sites

  10. 1 Apr 2025

    Cease-and-desist letters to Kalshi, Robinhood and Crypto.com over sports event contracts

  11. 1 Jul 2025

    Per-wager tax of $0.25 and $0.50 on online wagers takes effect

  12. 17 Jul 2025

    Uniform advertising and marketing rule takes effect for sports wagering

  13. 18 Dec 2025

    Coinbase sues to stop Illinois applying gambling law to event contracts

  14. 27 Jan 2026

    Cease-and-desist letter to Polymarket

  15. 5 Feb 2026

    More than 60 cease-and-desist letters to online casino and sweepstakes operators

  16. 2 Apr 2026

    United States and CFTC sue Illinois over its action against prediction markets

  17. 23 Apr 2026

    Wind Creek Chicago Southland receives a master sports wagering licence

  18. 16 Jun 2026

    SB 3019 signed as Public Act 104-468: exchange wager tax and fantasy contest licensing

  19. 23 Jun 2026

    Kalshi sues to block SB 3019 and Illinois gambling law

  20. 1 Jul 2026

    15% fantasy contest tax begins

  21. 3 Sept 2026

    Board adopts proposed fantasy contest rules and Self-Exclusion Program changes

  22. 2 Oct 2026

    Federal court holds Illinois likely cannot require Kalshi to hold a sports wagering licence for title contracts; fee challenge held over

  23. 8 Oct 2026

    All parties tell the court the coming injunction will also stop the Act's taxes being enforced against CFTC-registered exchanges

Outlook

Judge Martha Pacold of the Northern District of Illinois held on 2 October 2026 that Illinois likely cannot apply its sports wagering licence requirement to Kalshi's title contracts; the parties must file a proposed injunction by 29 October 2026, and they agree it will also stop the exchange wager tax being enforced against CFTC-registered exchanges. The challenge to the fees is held over, and the ruling is preliminary, not a decision on the merits. The Board's proposed fantasy contest rules and its Self-Exclusion Program changes, both adopted on 3 September 2026, must go through the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules before they take effect; fantasy operators already serving Illinois must apply within 90 days of the rules taking effect. The Board has also committed to bringing video gaming into the Self-Exclusion Program.

Frequently asked questions

Is online casino legal in Illinois?
No. No statute authorises online casino games or online poker, and operating or playing on an internet gambling site is gambling under 720 ILCS 5/28-1. In February 2026 the Gaming Board and the Attorney General sent more than 60 cease-and-desist letters to online casino and sweepstakes operators.
How is sports betting taxed?
Each master licensee pays a graduated annual tax on adjusted gross sports wagering receipts, from 20% up to $30 million to 40% above $200 million, plus 2% on wagers placed in Cook County. Online licensees also pay $0.25 on each of their first 20 million wagers in a fiscal year and $0.50 on each wager after that.
Who holds the online sportsbook licences?
Master sports wagering licences belong to Illinois casinos, racetracks and sports facilities. Brands such as FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM run their online books in partnership with a licensee, most as licensed management services providers or temporary permit holders. The Board listed ten authorised online sportsbooks in September 2026, and no online-only licence has been issued.
What is the minimum age?
21 for sports wagering, online and retail, and 21 for licensed fantasy contests. Bettors must also be physically located in Illinois.
Are prediction markets legal in Illinois?
None is licensed. The Board treats sports event contracts as unlicensed sports wagering and has sent cease-and-desist letters to Kalshi, Robinhood, Crypto.com and Polymarket. On 2 October 2026 a federal judge in Chicago held that Illinois likely cannot make Kalshi hold a sports wagering licence for contracts on who wins a title game; the injunction is still to be settled, and the parties agree it will also stop the exchange wager tax being enforced against CFTC-registered exchanges.
Are daily fantasy sports licensed?
Not yet. Public Act 104-468 requires fantasy contest operators to hold a Board licence and pay 15% of adjusted gross fantasy receipts from 1 July 2026, but the implementing rules adopted on 3 September 2026 must complete rulemaking first, and existing operators may continue until 90 days after they take effect.
How much does a gambling licence cost in Illinois?
For the Management services provider licence, the application fee is $1,000,000 (as of 28 Jun 2019). For the Fantasy contest operator licence, the application fee is $7,500 (as of 16 Jun 2026). The Licensing section lists all 7 licence types recorded for Illinois. Last verified 21 Oct 2026.
Who regulates gambling in Illinois?
The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) regulates gambling in Illinois. Other authorities with a role include Illinois Department of Revenue and Illinois Department of the Lottery.

iGT 25 companies with ties to Illinois

The iGT 25 iGaming stock index →

Glossary and directory

iGT coverage of Illinois (USA)

Draftkings sued over patent infringement related to micro betting technology
Prediction Markets

Gaming Regulator Groups Urge the Supreme Court to Hear New Jersey's Kalshi Case

Two associations of gaming regulators have told the Supreme Court that the same Kalshi contract is shielded from state law in New Jersey and subject to it in Ohio, and that only the Court can end that. They follow a group of state lawmakers in backing New Jersey's petition; nobody has yet filed for Kalshi.

Illinois Lawmaker Files a Bill to Repeal the State's Prediction Market Tax
Prediction Markets

Illinois Lawmaker Files a Bill to Repeal the State's Prediction Market Tax

HB 5811 would strike the exchange wager tax Illinois enacted in its budget less than three months ago, along with the definition that brought prediction markets inside the Sports Wagering Act. The tax is already being challenged in court by Kalshi and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the bill would not end that fight.

Chicago illinois skyline lincoln park
Regulatory

Chicago Council Pressures Bally's to Honour Full Casino Build Pledge

Twenty-eight Chicago alderpersons have formally demanded that Mayor Brandon Johnson order Bally's to resume full construction at its River West casino site, warning of potential legal action after the operator cited VGT legalisation as grounds to slow work on the hotel, event centre and restaurants. At least one council member suspects the real issue is cash flow.

Chicago illinois skyline lincoln park
General

Illinois Casinos Post 15% July Revenue Growth on Land-Based Transitions

Illinois casino revenue climbed to $192.7 million in July, its strongest year-over-year performance in recent months, with two Hollywood Casino properties delivering triple- and double-digit gains after completing moves from riverboat to land-based formats. Neighbouring Iowa tells a contrasting story, with aggregate revenue falling 6% as most of its 19 casinos shed ground.

All 19 articles on Illinois (USA) →

Sources

Source tiers. Tier 1: the law, official gazette, licence register or regulator itself. Tier 2: other official sources such as ministries, parliaments, courts and statistics agencies. Only tier 1 and tier 2 sources can support a fact on their own.

  1. Illinois Gaming Board website

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  2. About the Illinois Gaming Board

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  3. Administration (Administrator and deputy administrators)

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  4. Board Members

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  5. Authorized Operating Sportsbooks (online and retail sportsbooks and their licensees)

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  6. Sports Wagering Applicant and Licensee Lists (master sports wagering, supplier, management services provider and tier 2 data provider)

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  7. Sports Wagering Monthly Reports (launch dates and reporting basis)

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  8. Sports Wagering Monthly Reports: Completed Events Tax Summary, January to December 2025 (CSV generated 23 September 2026)

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 23 Sept 2026
  9. Sports Wagering Monthly Reports: Completed Events Tax Summary, January to December 2024 (CSV generated 23 September 2026)

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 23 Sept 2026
  10. Sports Wagering Monthly Reports: All Wagering Activity Detail (handle and wager counts), January to December 2025 (CSV generated 23 September 2026)

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 23 Sept 2026
  11. Sports Wagering Cease and Desist Letters

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 1Accessed 14 Oct 2026
  12. Disciplinary Complaints: Sports Wagering Act

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  13. Complaint for Disciplinary Action DC-S-20-001, In re Crown IL Gaming LLC d/b/a DraftKings (issued 15 October 2020)

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 15 Oct 2020
  14. Sports Wagering Laws and Regulations (adopted, emergency and proposed rules)

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 1Accessed 14 Oct 2026
  15. Sports Wagering Frequently Asked Questions

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  16. Self-Exclusion Program (SEP)

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  17. Proposed 11 Ill. Adm. Code 1900 Subpart R, Fantasy Contests (not yet filed)

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 3 Sept 2026
  18. IGB Approves Modernization Measures to Expand the Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program

    Illinois Gaming Board

    The release is dated 4 September 2026 and reports the Board's actions at its regular meeting, which the Illinois Gaming Board's past meetings page lists on 3 September 2026.

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 4 Sept 2026
  19. IGB Renews Rockford's Casino License Among Other Measures

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 24 Apr 2026
  20. Illinois Gaming Board and Attorney General's Office Issue more than 60 Cease-and-Desist Letters to Illegal Online Casino and Sweepstakes Operators

    Illinois Gaming Board

    The release, dated 5 February 2026, says the letters have been issued but does not give the date they were sent; 5 February 2026 is used as the announcement date.

    Archived copy
    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 5 Feb 2026
  21. IGB Previews Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino's Redevelopment Proposal During Final 2025 Meeting

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 12 Dec 2025
  22. Gaming Board Announces Enhanced, Uniformed Advertising Rules for Casinos, Video Gaming and Sports Wagering

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 4 Aug 2025
  23. Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) Approves New Gaming Licenses Among Other Actions

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 1 Aug 2025
  24. Illinois Gaming Board Reported $1.7 billion in Gaming Tax Revenue for 2024 (NFL Rule 1130 order)

    Illinois Gaming Board

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 7 Feb 2025
  25. 230 ILCS 45/25-10, Definitions

    Illinois General Assembly (ilga.gov)

    ilga.gov did not accept connections from this machine on 2026-09-23, so the text was read from the Internet Archive copy of the official page dated 17 November 2025. Public Act 104-468 (SB 3019, June 2026) amended this Act after the archive date; the amendments were read in the enrolled bill (source il-pa104-468).

    Archived copy
    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  26. 230 ILCS 45/25-20, Licenses required

    Illinois General Assembly (ilga.gov)

    ilga.gov did not accept connections from this machine on 2026-09-23, so the text was read from the Internet Archive copy of the official page dated 11 November 2025.

    Archived copy
    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  27. 230 ILCS 45/25-25, Sports wagering authorized

    Illinois General Assembly (ilga.gov)

    ilga.gov did not accept connections from this machine on 2026-09-23, so the text was read from the Internet Archive copy of the official page dated 19 January 2026. Public Act 104-468 (SB 3019, June 2026) amended this Act after the archive date; the amendments were read in the enrolled bill (source il-pa104-468).

    Archived copy
    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  28. 230 ILCS 45/25-30, Master sports wagering license issued to an organization licensee

    Illinois General Assembly (ilga.gov)

    ilga.gov did not accept connections from this machine on 2026-09-23, so the text was read from the Internet Archive copy of the official page dated 13 August 2025.

    Archived copy
    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  29. 230 ILCS 45/25-35, Master sports wagering license issued to an owners licensee

    Illinois General Assembly (ilga.gov)

    ilga.gov did not accept connections from this machine on 2026-09-23, so the text was read from the Internet Archive copy of the official page dated 16 November 2025.

    Archived copy
    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  30. 230 ILCS 45/25-40, Master sports wagering license issued to a sports facility

    Illinois General Assembly (ilga.gov)

    ilga.gov did not accept connections from this machine on 2026-09-23, so the text was read from the Internet Archive copy of the official page dated 8 August 2025.

    Archived copy
    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  31. 230 ILCS 45/25-55, Management services provider license

    Illinois General Assembly (ilga.gov)

    ilga.gov did not accept connections from this machine on 2026-09-23, so the text was read from the Internet Archive copy of the official page dated 18 January 2026.

    Archived copy
    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  32. 230 ILCS 45/25-60, Tier 2 official league data provider license

    Illinois General Assembly (ilga.gov)

    ilga.gov did not accept connections from this machine on 2026-09-23, so the text was read from the Internet Archive copy of the official page dated 18 January 2026.

    Archived copy
    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  33. 230 ILCS 45/25-90, Tax; Sports Wagering Fund (as amended by P.A. 103-592 and 104-6)

    Illinois General Assembly (ilga.gov)

    ilga.gov did not accept connections from this machine on 2026-09-23, so the text was read from the Internet Archive copy of the official page dated 16 November 2025. Public Act 104-468 added subsection (d-20), the exchange wager tax, in June 2026; the enrolled bill reprints the whole section with no other change to the sportsbook rates.

    Archived copy
    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  34. 230 ILCS 45/25-95, Compulsive gambling

    Illinois General Assembly (ilga.gov)

    ilga.gov did not accept connections from this machine on 2026-09-23, so the text was read from the Internet Archive copy of the official page dated 7 December 2025.

    Archived copy
    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  35. Senate Bill 3019, 104th General Assembly, enrolled (FY2027 revenue omnibus; Public Act 104-468): Articles 130 and 140 amend the Sports Wagering Act and Criminal Code of 2012

    Illinois General Assembly (ilga.gov)

    ilga.gov did not accept connections on 2026-09-23; the enrolled text was read from the Internet Archive copy dated 16 September 2026. The Public Act number and the effective date come from the State's brief of 17 July 2026 (source il-state-brief), and the signing date of 16 June 2026 from Kalshi's complaint (source il-kalshi-compl). The bill says it takes effect on becoming law; Kalshi's complaint says 1 July 2026.

    Archived copy
    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 1 Jun 2026
  36. 11 Ill. Adm. Code 1900.340, Advertising and Marketing (amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 10003, effective 17 July 2025)

    Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (ilga.gov)

    ilga.gov did not accept connections from this machine on 2026-09-23, so the text was read from the Internet Archive copy of the official page dated 13 February 2026.

    Archived copy
    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  37. 11 Ill. Adm. Code 1900.1210, Internet Wagering: General

    Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (ilga.gov)

    ilga.gov did not accept connections from this machine on 2026-09-23, so the text was read from the Internet Archive copy of the official page dated 16 July 2025.

    Archived copy
    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  38. 11 Ill. Adm. Code 1900.1220, Sports Wagering Accounts (amended at 49 Ill. Reg. 14640, effective 28 October 2025)

    Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (ilga.gov)

    ilga.gov did not accept connections from this machine on 2026-09-23, so the text was read from the Internet Archive copy of the official page dated 22 April 2026.

    Archived copy
    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  39. 11 Ill. Adm. Code 1900.1250, Responsible Gaming Limits

    Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (ilga.gov)

    ilga.gov did not accept connections from this machine on 2026-09-23, so the text was read from the Internet Archive copy of the official page dated 17 July 2025.

    Archived copy
    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  40. Income Tax Rates (individual rate and withholding on gambling winnings)

    Illinois Department of Revenue

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026
  41. Topic no. 419, Gambling income and losses (last reviewed 11 June 2026)

    Internal Revenue Service

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 11 Jun 2026
  42. Dew-Becker v. Wu, 2020 IL 124472 (opinion filed 16 April 2020)

    Supreme Court of Illinois

    Tier 1Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 16 Apr 2020
  43. Coinbase Financial Markets, Inc. v. Raoul, No. 1:25-cv-15406 (N.D. Ill.), docket (entries to 2 October 2026)

    United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (PACER docket mirrored by CourtListener)

    Tier 2Accessed 14 Oct 2026
  44. United States of America and CFTC v. State of Illinois, No. 1:26-cv-03659 (N.D. Ill.), docket (entries to 9 October 2026)

    United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (PACER docket mirrored by CourtListener)

    Tier 2Accessed 14 Oct 2026
  45. United States v. State of Illinois, Complaint (filed 2 April 2026)

    United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (PACER docket mirrored by CourtListener)

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 2 Apr 2026
  46. KalshiEX LLC v. Raoul, No. 1:26-cv-07363 (N.D. Ill.), docket (entries to 2 October 2026)

    United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (PACER docket mirrored by CourtListener)

    Tier 2Accessed 14 Oct 2026
  47. KalshiEX LLC v. Raoul, Complaint for Permanent Injunctive and Declaratory Relief (filed 23 June 2026)

    United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (PACER docket mirrored by CourtListener)

    A party pleading: its account of the legislative history is Kalshi's allegation, used here only for dates the State does not dispute.

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 23 Jun 2026
  48. Defendants' Combined Response in Opposition to the CFTC's, Kalshi's and the Coalition's Motions for Preliminary Injunctions (Office of the Illinois Attorney General, filed 17 July 2026)

    United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (PACER docket mirrored by CourtListener)

    The State's litigating position; cited for the Public Act number, the cease-and-desist history and the standstill agreements it describes.

    Tier 2Accessed 23 Sept 2026Published 17 Jul 2026
  49. Coinbase Financial Markets, Inc. v. Raoul, United States v. State of Illinois and KalshiEX LLC v. Raoul, Nos. 1:25-cv-15406, 1:26-cv-03659 and 1:26-cv-07363 (N.D. Ill.), Memorandum Opinion and Order granting in part and continuing in part the motions for preliminary injunctions (Judge Martha M. Pacold, 2 October 2026)

    US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

    Tier 2Accessed 14 Oct 2026Published 2 Oct 2026
  50. United States v. State of Illinois, No. 1:26-cv-03659 (N.D. Ill.), Joint Status Report of all parties on supplemental briefing on fees (filed 8 October 2026)

    US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (joint filing of the parties, signed for the State by the Office of the Illinois Attorney General)

    Tier 2Accessed 14 Oct 2026Published 8 Oct 2026

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This page is industry reference information and not legal advice.

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