IL Gaming Board Press

First Racino License Approved, New IGB Chairperson Appointed

The Illinois Gaming Board issued its first racino license to Fairmount Park, Inc. d/b/a Fairmount Park Casino and Racing in Collinsville, collecting $9,950,000 in upfront fees deposited into the Rebuild Illinois Fund. The Board also appointed Dionne Hayden as its first African American female Chairperson, pending Senate confirmation. IGB approved numerous casino, video gaming, and sports wagering licenses while denying several applicants and revoking one video gaming establishment license.

Illinois Gaming Board Expands Advertising Restrictions, Bans College Ads

The Illinois Gaming Board adopted new advertising rules for casino, video gaming, and sports wagering operators. The rules prohibit advertising on college campuses and university media outlets, and ban depictions of college settings or students. Operators must include problem gambling text in all advertising, maintain records of marketing materials, provide opt-out options for patrons, and ensure third-party agreements do not tie compensation to wager volume. The rules apply uniformly across all gambling segments under IGB jurisdiction and took effect August 1, 2025, following JCAR approval.

IGB Welcomes New Board Member, Adopts Video Gaming Licensing Changes

The Illinois Gaming Board welcomed Caleb J. Melamed as a new board member (pending Senate confirmation) and took several regulatory actions at its September 12, 2025 meeting. The Board discussed implementation of HB 2947, which eliminates gaming licenses for non-gaming casino employees (food service, housekeeping) effective August 15, replacing them with Non-Gaming Occupational Identification Badges. The Board also authorized the Administrator to issue certain video gaming licenses outside of Board meetings (effective October), and renewed the Casino Queen/DraftKings casino owners license for four years.

IGB Previews Par-A-Dice Casino Redevelopment and Reminds Licensees of Advertising Compliance

The Illinois Gaming Board held its final 2025 meeting on December 11, considering Par-A-Dice Hotel Casino's proposed new riverboat casino facility in East Peoria (no action taken; matter to be revisited February 5, 2026). The Board reminded casino, video gaming, and sports wagering licensees of compliance obligations under updated advertising Rule 3000.680, which expanded restrictions to protect young people and problem gamblers. The IGB noted reports of potentially non-compliant advertising where problem gambling helpline information on billboards may not be reasonably readable. Licensees are encouraged to proactively review and address compliance issues.

60+ Cease-and-Desist Letters Issued to Illegal Online Casino and Sweepstakes Operators

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.