60+ Cease-and-Desist Letters Issued to Illegal Online Casino and Sweepstakes Operators
Summary
The Illinois Gaming Board and Illinois Attorney General issued more than 60 cease-and-desist letters to entities allegedly operating illegal online casino and sweepstakes gaming platforms in Illinois. The letters demand operators immediately block Illinois residents from accessing their websites or discontinue offering prizes to Illinois users. Operators who fail to comply may face civil or criminal penalties under Illinois law.
What changed
The Illinois Gaming Board, in coordination with the Illinois Attorney General, announced the issuance of more than 60 cease-and-desist letters targeting entities allegedly operating illegal online casino and sweepstakes platforms in Illinois. The letters demand that targeted operators immediately block Illinois residents from accessing their internet sites or discontinue offering prizes to Illinois users.
Entities receiving these letters face potential civil or criminal penalties under Illinois law for operating illegal gambling platforms. Legal gambling in Illinois is limited to licensed riverboat casinos, land-based casinos with owners' licenses, licensed racetracks, sportsbooks under the Sports Wagering Act, and video gaming licensees. The IGB continues to urge Illinois patrons to use only licensed gambling operators.
Archived snapshot
Apr 16, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Release Date: 02/05/2026
Illinois Gaming Board and Attorney General’s Office Issue more than 60 Cease-and-Desist Letters to Illegal Online Casino and Sweepstakes Operators
For Immediate Release: February 5, 2026 For More Information Contact: Beth Kaufman-312-213-9209 elizabeth.kaufman@illinois.gov
CHICAGO— The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB), in coordination with the Illinois Attorney General’s office, has issued more than 60 cease-and-desist letters to entities allegedly operating illegal online casino and online sweepstakes gaming platforms in Illinois.
The cease-and-desist letters demand that entities allegedly operating online casinos or sweepstakes platforms immediately block Illinois residents from accessing their internet sites or discontinue offering prizes to Illinois users. Operators who fail to comply may be subject to civil or criminal penalties under Illinois law. Offering games of chance that award money or other items of value via the internet violates Illinois criminal law.
“Illegal online gambling operations threaten consumer protections, undermine responsible gaming safeguards, and are antithetical to the public’s interest in regulated gaming,” said Illinois Gaming Board Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter. “The IGB will continue to evaluate all available regulatory and law enforcement tools to combat illegal gambling and to protect Illinoisans.”
Illinois law allows legal gambling only for licensed riverboat casinos, land-based casinos holding an owners’ license, racetracks with organizational gaming licenses, sportsbooks licensed under the Sports Wagering Act, and video gaming licensees licensed under the Video Gaming Act. Illinois law prohibits the operation of internet sites that allow gambling.
“The law is clear: Gambling in Illinois must be properly licensed and regulated,” said Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. “Unlicensed gaming operators put Illinois consumers at risk and undermine the integrity of our regulated gaming market. We will continue to work with the Illinois Gaming Board to protect our residents and hold illegal operators accountable.”
The IGB urges all Illinois patrons to avoid illegal, unlicensed, and unregulated retail and online gambling operators. Visit the IGB website for a list of licensed and approved sportsbooks, casinos and video gaming operators.
To report suspected illegal gambling activity to the IGB, visit the IGB’s Report Prohibited Conduct page.
- Illinois Gaming Board and Attorney General’s Office Issue more than 60 Cease-and-Desist Letters to Illegal Online Casino and Sweepstakes Operators
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