Regulatory
IGB (Illinois Gaming Board)
Illinois Gaming Board
Definition
The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) is the state regulatory and law enforcement agency that oversees licensed casino gambling, video gaming terminals and sports wagering in Illinois.
Key takeaways
- The IGB regulates licensed casino gambling, video gaming terminals and sports wagering in Illinois.
- Illinois combines casino licensing with a large video gaming terminal network in bars, restaurants and other venues.
- Online casino remains unlicensed in Illinois despite repeated legislative interest.
Why it matters
Illinois is one of the larger US sports betting markets and the IGB regulates the operators serving Illinois players. The state has both casino licensing and a separate video gaming terminal framework that allows licensed gaming machines in bars, restaurants, and other establishments. The combined market is one of the more complex US state gambling structures.
For operators, Illinois sports betting licensing is part of the standard US-state market access stack. The state's tax structure and licence fee framework has been subject to periodic legislative attention. Illinois online casino remains unlicensed at time of writing, with periodic legislative interest but no completed framework. The IGB's relationship with the Illinois Lottery (which has its own conduct of certain online lottery and instant products) adds another regulatory dimension.
Sources
- Illinois Gaming Board home page - Illinois Gaming Board
Frequently asked questions
Is online casino legal in Illinois?
Not at time of writing. Licensed sports betting is operational; online casino has been subject to periodic legislative discussion but no completed framework. The political and tax considerations continue to evolve.
How does the IGB acronym differ from iGB the publication?
Different organisations entirely. Illinois Gaming Board (regulatory) versus iGaming Business (trade publication and event organiser). Industry coverage typically uses context or full names to disambiguate.