IGB Moves Measure to Ban Credit Card Use to Fund Sports Betting Accounts

The credit line for bettors at Illinois sportsbooks could be cut off soon.

The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) approved a measure last week that will implement a credit card ban on customers to fund sports betting accounts, further supporting responsible gambling in the Prairie State.

The IGB is reviewing current sports wagering practices and rules to measure effectiveness and identify potential areas for adjustment.

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"As part of our review, we determined that prohibiting the use of credit cards to fund sports wagering accounts is a justified and impactful advancement in sports wagering," said Illinois Gaming Board Administrator Marcus D. Fruchter in an official news release on Friday, April 25.

"There is a growing body of recent research showing that restrictions on credit usage to fund wagering accounts encourages responsible gambling and mitigates the harms of compulsive gambling. Problem gamblers are particularly at risk and studies have shown an often-problematic willingness for compulsive gamblers to use credit cards to place bets."

Current IGB rules ban credit card use for casino and video gaming wagers. Six (6) other states (Massachusetts, Iowa, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Vermont) have enacted prohibitions on credit card use in sports wagering or reversed regulations that previously allowed it.

Next Step in the Process

The new measure - SB2394 - is now in the hands of the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) for any public comment. On Wednesday, April 30, the bill was placed on the calendar for a second reading (short debate).

Legalized retail sports betting and IL betting apps have been operational in the state since March 2020 and is currently legal throughout the U.S. in 40 states.

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Additional Rule Adapted

The IGB also adapted an additional rule during April's meeting to permit cashless wagering in all 17 Illinois casinos.

The proposed amendment would allow customers to use a digital casino account or wallet to wager, withdraw electronic credits, fund wagers, and cashout remaining credits. Cashless wagering accounts would be subject to IGB requirements including the credit card ban, self-exclusion Program controls, age restrictions, and anti-money laundering safeguards.

The IGB's next scheduled regular meeting is on Thursday, June 5.